Khamenei dead, China claims attack on Iran violates sovereignty
Beijing (ANTARA) - The Chinese government has strongly condemned the joint US-Israeli military strike on Saturday (28 February) that resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“The attack and assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader constitutes a serious violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security. China firmly opposes and strongly condemns such action,” stated the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman in a statement accessed by ANTARA on Sunday.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was confirmed dead in the US-Israeli strike on Saturday (28 February), marking the end of the Islamic cleric and politician’s 37-year leadership of Iran. Iranian government media confirmed that Khamenei was killed during the US-Israeli assault, stating that “Iran’s Islamic Revolution leader has achieved martyrdom.”
“This action tramples on the objectives and principles of the United Nations Charter and fundamental norms of international relations,” the statement added.
China has also called for an immediate halt to military operations. “We urge that military operations be stopped immediately, that there be no further escalation of the tense situation, and that joint efforts be made to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East and the world as a whole,” the statement continued.
According to Iranian government officials, Khamenei was in his office in Tehran when Saturday morning’s strike struck and killed him. Iranian sources reported that several members of Khamenei’s family, including his daughter, son-in-law, grandson, and daughter-in-law, were killed in the attack.
Khamenei became Supreme Leader of Iran in 1989 after serving as president from 1981 to 1989. The Iranian government has announced 40 days of national mourning and one week of work suspension following Khamenei’s death. The Iranian president, chief justice, and a member of Iran’s Guardian Council will assume Khamenei’s duties during the period of vacancy.
The US-Israeli aggression against Iran, including the capital Tehran, has caused not only infrastructure damage but also at least 201 deaths and 747 wounded. From the military perspective, the US-Israeli strike killed Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Mohammad Pakpour, Iran’s Chief of Staff Abdulrahim Mousavi, Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, and Defence Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani.
Iran subsequently retaliated with missile attacks against Israeli territory and several US military installations in the Middle East. The IRGC and Iranian Armed Forces stated in a written declaration that they would avenge Khamenei’s death. The attacks targeted 27 locations, including the Tel Nof airbase in central Israel, Israeli army headquarters, and a military industrial complex in Tel Aviv.
Demonstrations erupted on Sunday (1 March) across various regions of Iran following the announcement of Khamenei’s death. Citizens took to the streets in cities across Iran in response to news of the Supreme Leader’s death. Iranian media reported that demonstrators carrying Iranian flags gathered in city centres to express their grief.
In Tehran, hundreds of people gathered at Inkilab Square, waving flags and banners of Khamenei and chanting slogans condemning the US and Israel. In the holy city of Qom, hundreds gathered at the tomb of Hazrat Masume to denounce the strikes. Meanwhile, in Mashhad, mourners expressed their sorrow by unfurling black flags over the dome of the Imam Reza Shrine, one of Iran’s most revered religious sites, with many seen crying around the shrine.
US President Donald Trump described Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as “one of the most evil people in history”. He also stated that Khamenei could not escape the US’s advanced intelligence and surveillance systems and claimed that his country’s close cooperation with Israel made it impossible for Iran’s leader and other senior officials to escape.