“It (the assassination) tramples on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic norms in international relations. China firmly opposes and strongly condemns it,” the ministry said in a statement issued on Sunday.
The statement also called for an immediate stop to the military aggression against Iran and urged “no further escalation of the tense situation and joint effort to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East and the world at large.”
The statement came hours after Iran confirmed Ayatollah Khamenei had been assassinated in a joint US-Israeli airstrike targeting his house in the early hours of Saturday.
Governments and leaders around the world have condemned the gruesome attack, calling it a grave breach of all international norms and standards.
Iran and China have maintained close cooperation in recent years, especially since Iran came under draconian US sanctions in 2018.
China has been a main customer of Iranian oil exports, while it has contributed to various economic projects in the country.
Ayatollah Khamenei was always supportive of expanding Iran-China relations as he insisted on the need for Iran to diversify its foreign policy and establish closer cooperation with Asian countries.
The US and Israel have carried out relentless airstrikes in different parts of the country since assassinating the Leader early on Saturday.
Iran has responded by launching massive attacks on the Israeli-occupied territories as well as on US military bases in regional countries.
