TEHRAN – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed condolences on behalf of Beijing for the assassination of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Iran’s foreign ministry said on Monday.

Wang conveyed sympathy from China’s government and people over Ayatollah Khamenei’s martyrdom during the U.S.-Israeli military aggression against Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi briefed Wang on developments following the strikes, emphasizing Tehran’s determination to defend its sovereignty. Araghchi stressed that Iran’s defensive responses targeting U.S. bases in Persian Gulf countries should not be interpreted as aggression toward those nations. China condemned the illegal U.S.-Israeli aggression and supported Iran’s right to defend its sovereignty and dignity, the statement added.