The government of China has described Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment as the new supreme leader of Iran as a domestic matter, stressing that it opposes any attempt to target him.

Mojtaba Khamenei assumed the position following the killing of his father, Ali Khamenei, who died during the first wave of strikes carried out by the United States and Israel earlier in the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Israel’s military has since warned that it could target any successor to the former Iranian leader.

Speaking on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Iran’s decision to appoint Mojtaba Khamenei was made in accordance with the country’s constitution.

“China opposes interference in other countries’ internal affairs under any pretext, and Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should be respected,” he said.

Meanwhile, the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran has continued to escalate, with US and Israeli forces carrying out additional strikes on Iranian targets.

Iran has responded by launching waves of missile and drone attacks against Israel and several Gulf countries hosting US military bases.