Following the reported assassination of Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, China said on Thursday that it was "shocked" by reported remarks that Israel had authorized the killing of any Iranian official without prior approval.

"We always oppose the use of force in international relations," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said. "The killing of Iranian state leaders and attacks on civilian targets are even more unacceptable."

He made the remarks when asked to comment on Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz's remarks that he and Israeli Prime Minister ?Benjamin ?Netanyahu had authorized the military to kill any ??senior ?Iranian official being targeted without the need ?for additional approval.

Lin said the Middle East is now engulfed in conflict, with tensions continuing to escalate and spill over.

"An early ceasefire and an end to the fighting is the common aspiration of the international community," he said. "China urges the parties concerned to immediately stop military operations and prevent the regional situation from being pushed to an uncontrollable point."