China on Monday said that at least one Chinese national was killed in Tehran during the ongoing conflict, while more than 3,000 others were evacuated from the region.

 

At a regular press briefing, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning said that Chinese embassies and consulates in neighbouring countries had been mobilised to assist those affected, and work groups set up by China would receive and assist those evacuated.

 

While she did not provide details on how the evacuees would return to China, Mao added that Beijing was not informed in advance about the US military actions against Iran.

 

She also denied reports suggesting that Iran and China were close to a deal to acquire supersonic anti-ship missiles, stating that China, as a major power, always fulfilled its international obligations.

 

The escalation follows attacks by the YS and Israel on Saturday that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The strikes prompted retaliatory actions by Iran against Israel and other countries, including Gulf nations hosting US military bases.

 

Mao reiterated condemnation of the attacks and the killing of Khamenei, urging all parties involved to “immediately cease military action to prevent escalation”.