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China called Iran’s decision to appoint Mojtaba as new Supreme Leader “an internal matter”.
China Opposes Interference in Iran’s Internal Affairs
China on Monday said it opposes any targeting of Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, following threats from the Israeli military against the successor to his slain father, Ali Khamenei.
Beijing called Iran’s decision to appoint Mojtaba Khamenei “an internal matter”. Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said, “China opposes interference in other countries’ internal affairs under any pretext, and Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should be respected.” He added that the naming of Mojtaba was made through Iran’s constitutional process.
China’s statement comes amid rising tensions in West Asia. Beijing earlier condemned US-Israeli strikes on Iran as “illegal aggression”, called for a ceasefire, and urged restraint to protect its energy and Belt and Road Initiative interests.
China’s support for Iran spans diplomatic, economic, and military-technical channels. Diplomatically, officials such as Foreign Ministers Wang Yi and Mao Ning have backed Iran’s sovereignty and engaged with interim leadership to ensure continuity.
Economically, China continues to purchase 80-90% of sanctioned Iranian oil, maintains a 25-year pact worth $400 billion, and is considering financial aid. Militarily, China has pre-positioned missiles, drones, and cyber capabilities, with cautious supply of components to avoid U.S. sanctions.
March 09, 2026, 13:30 IST
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