China Condemns US-Israeli Strikes on Iran, Demands Immediate Ceasefire

BEIJING / TEHRAN — On Sunday, March 1, 2026, China issued a sharp condemnation of the joint U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran, labeling the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a “brazen violation” of sovereignty. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in an urgent telephone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, warned that the world is being pushed toward a “dangerous abyss.”

Wang Yi’s “Regime Change” Warning

Minister Wang Yi voiced Beijing’s stern opposition to the strategy of targeted assassinations to achieve political shifts.

• The Stance: “Targeting the head of a sovereign country and inciting regime change is unacceptable and tramples on the purposes of the UN Charter,” Wang stated.
• Diplomacy over Force: Beijing rejected the strikes, noting they occurred while Iran was still engaged in diplomatic negotiations regarding its nuclear program.
• Coordination with Russia: Both China and Russia have called for an emergency session of the UN Security Council to oppose “unilateral military actions not authorized by the UN.”

Urgent Evacuation of Chinese Citizens

With the conflict expanding, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has activated emergency protocols to protect its nationals:

• From Iran: Citizens are being urged to leave “as soon as possible.” Four land routes have been identified for evacuation into Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey, and Iraq.
  • Update: The first group of 18 Chinese nationals successfully crossed into Azerbaijan via the Astara checkpoint on Sunday.
• From Israel: The Chinese Embassy in Tel Aviv has advised its citizens to evacuate to safer areas or leave for Egypt via the Taba border crossing.
• Injuries Reported: The Foreign Ministry confirmed that some Chinese nationals have been injured in the recent waves of airstrikes, though specific numbers have not yet been disclosed.

You May Like To Read: Iranian Missiles Hit Central Israel as War Enters New Phase

Economic and Strategic Concerns

As Iran’s largest trading partner, China’s primary concern is the stability of regional energy supplies and its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) investments.

• Energy Security: Analysts in Beijing warn that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz poses an “unprecedented challenge” to global energy security, as Iran holds 12% of the world’s oil reserves.
• Strategic Partnership: Despite the strikes, Beijing has initiated communication channels with Iran’s Interim Leadership Council to ensure the continuity of their “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”

Global “Law of the Jungle”

The state-run news agency Xinhua released a commentary criticizing Washington’s “power politics and hegemony.” The agency warned that if the international community does not act, the world risks regressing into the “law of the jungle,” where military coercion replaces international law.