Chinese Foreign Minister Condemns US-Israel Strikes on Iran, Calls for Ceasefire

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi condemned recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran as "unacceptable" during a conversation with his Russian counterpart. Beijing is urging an immediate halt to military action and a return to diplomatic negotiations following Saturday's attacks that reportedly killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi strongly condemned military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran, labeling them “unacceptable” during discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Sunday, China’s state news agency Xinhua reported.

Speaking about Saturday’s military operations, Wang characterized the “blatant killing of a sovereign leader” and efforts to provoke regime change as completely unacceptable. Iran has confirmed that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei died during Saturday’s bombardment.

Beijing is demanding an immediate halt to all military operations and pushing for a swift return to diplomatic discussions and negotiations, while jointly opposing unilateral military actions, the Chinese minister stated.

The joint U.S.-Israeli military operations began early Saturday morning, focusing on Iran’s military infrastructure and capabilities.

China’s foreign ministry had already voiced serious concerns about the strikes on Saturday, demanding an immediate cessation of hostilities and encouraging all parties to prevent further escalation while returning to diplomatic channels. Beijing emphasized that Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial boundaries must be honored.

By Sunday, China’s embassy in Israel had issued evacuation guidance for Chinese nationals, recommending they relocate to safer regions within Israel immediately or exit through Egypt using the Taba border crossing.

Chinese authorities also advised their citizens currently in Iran to depart “as soon as possible” on Sunday, providing four overland evacuation routes through Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey and Iraq.

In Sunday editorial commentary, China’s official Xinhua news agency condemned the military action, describing it as “brazen aggression against a sovereign nation” and an example of “power politics and hegemony.”

Xinhua characterized Washington’s military pressure tactics as a “flagrant violation” of United Nations Charter principles and a break from “fundamental norms of international relations.”

Meanwhile, Hong Kong-based Cathay Group announced Saturday that it was halting Middle East operations, impacting passenger services to and from Dubai and Riyadh, plus cargo operations through Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport, according to a company statement from Cathay, which owns Cathay Pacific Airways.

The airline company indicated it is redirecting flights that normally travel through the conflict zone.

The regional conflict has triggered extensive flight disruptions and cancellations across the aviation industry.