China Rejects Any Targeting of Iran’s New Supreme Leader, Calls Succession an Internal Matter

Overview

• Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Monday that China opposes any attempt to target Mojtaba Khamenei.
• Guo described the leadership change as a constitutional decision and urged respect for Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.
• Iran’s Assembly of Experts named the 56-year-old cleric as supreme leader following Ali Khamenei’s death in recent strikes, according to the reports.
• China’s stance follows earlier condemnations of U.S. and Israeli operations against Iran and includes a call for restraint to avoid further regional destabilization.
• Coverage notes China’s strong economic ties to Tehran, including large purchases of sanctioned oil and a 25-year cooperation framework, alongside unverified reports of Chinese military and cyber support to Iran.