The conflict in Iran has claimed the life of one Chinese citizen in Tehran and prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 others, China’s foreign ministry announced Monday. Chinese embassies and consulates in neighboring countries have activated emergency work groups to assist those displaced by the ongoing violence, coordinating reception and support for evacuees, though officials did not specify how they would return home.
The deadly escalation began after U.S. and Israeli attacks on Saturday killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, provoking retaliatory strikes by Iran on Israel and Gulf countries hosting U.S. military forces. Chinese ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China was not informed in advance about the U.S. military actions and reiterated Beijing’s condemnation of the attacks and the killing of Khamenei. She called for an immediate cessation of military operations to prevent further escalation.
Mao also rejected reports of a potential deal between China and Iran for the purchase of supersonic anti-ship missiles, emphasizing that China, as a responsible major power, always fulfills its international obligations. She stressed that the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of Gulf states must be respected and expressed China’s support for strengthening regional communication and diplomacy to mitigate the crisis.
