Worries that situation in Middle East is on the brink of spiraling out of control not unfounded

China is among those countries that have expressed their concern at the latest turn of events in the Middle East.

In a routine news conference, responding to a question about the killing of Hamas' top political leader Ismail Haniyeh in a targeted missile strike on Wednesday in Teheran, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said, "We are greatly concerned about the incident, firmly oppose and condemn the assassination, and are deeply worried that this incident may lead to further instability in the region."

While falling short of admitting culpability for Haniyeh's execution, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country "will exact a very heavy price from any aggression against us on any front" after Iran accused Israel of carrying out the strike and vowed "a harsh and painful response".