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China criticizes Trump’s comment on Iran’s leader Mojtaba Khamenei

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In response to President Donald Trump’s reaction to the emergence of Mojtaba Khamenei in Iran, China has advised leaders and nations to abstain from meddling in the decisions of others.

On Sunday, Trump stated that the Islamic Republic’s new supreme leader would need to get an endorsement from the United States government.

“He’s going to have to get approval from us,” the President told ABC News. “If he doesn’t get approval from us, he’s not going to last long.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China “opposes interference in other countries’ internal affairs under any pretext,” adding that Mojtaba’s appointment was in line with Iran’s constitution.

Beijing demands respect for Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, urging an immediate end to the military operations, a return to dialogue and negotiations, and easing of tensions.

In a congratulatory message to Mojtaba, President Vladimir Putin assured the successor of Russia’s solidarity and support, charging him to lead with “great courage and dedication.”

Born in 1969 in Mashhad, about 10 years before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Mojtaba studied at the Islamic Seminary of Qom, where he established relationships with religious leadership.

His family moved to Tehran after the fall of the Shah. Mojtaba gradually became an influential figure after his father took power in 1989, ruling for 37 years until he died in the joint U.S.-Israel strikes last weekend.