US intelligence indicates China is preparing to deliver new air defense systems to Iran within the next few weeks, CNN reported on Friday, citing three people familiar with recent intelligence assessments.
According to intelligence outlined in the CNN report, Beijing is preparing to transfer shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missile systems known as MANPADs.
These systems pose an asymmetric threat to low-flying US military aircraft – as demonstrated during the five-week war – and they could continue to do so if the ceasefire breaks down.
Two sources informed CNN that there were signs that Beijing was attempting to route shipments of the weaponry through third countries to conceal their true origin.
The report also highlighted how Iran might be using the ceasefire to replenish certain weapon systems with assistance from key foreign partners.
Tariffs as a war tactic
Last week, just hours after US President Donald Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Tehran, he announced that imports from countries supplying military weapons to Iran are to face immediate 50% tariffs with no exemptions.
In response to the CNN report, a spokesperson for the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Washington said that “China has never provided weapons to any party to the conflict; the information in question is untrue.”
The spokesperson continued, saying that “as a responsible major country, China consistently fulfills its international obligations. We urge the US side to refrain from making baseless allegations, maliciously drawing connections, and engaging in sensationalism; we hope that relevant parties will do more to help de-escalate tensions.”
Beijing recently also announced that it had played a role in brokering a fragile ceasefire agreement that halted the war between Iran and the United States last week.
Trump is scheduled to visit China early next month for discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping.