US intelligence indicates China is preparing weapons shipment to Iran amid fragile ceasefire, sources say
US intelligence shows China is preparing to deliver new air defense systems Iranian Within the next few weeks, according to three people familiar with the latest intelligence assessments.
That would be a provocative move, given that Beijing has said it helped broker the deal. fragile ceasefire agreement This paused the war between Iran and the United States earlier this week. President Donald Trump will also visit China early next month to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The intelligence also highlights how Iran could use the ceasefire as an opportunity to upgrade some of its weapons systems with the help of key foreign partners.
Two of the sources told CNN there are signs that Beijing is trying to route shipments through third countries to hide their true origin.
The systems Beijing is preparing to transfer are shoulder-fired air defense missile systems known as MANPADs, which have posed an asymmetric threat to low-flying U.S. military aircraft throughout the five-week war and could reemerge if the ceasefire breaks down, the sources said.
A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington said: “China has never provided weapons to any side of the conflict; the information in question is not accurate.”
“China has consistently fulfilled its international obligations as a responsible major country. We urge the US side to refrain from making false claims, establishing malicious links and engaging in sensational behavior; we hope that relevant parties will do more to help de-escalate tensions.”
Earlier this week, an embassy spokesperson told CNN that since the start of the US-Israel-Iran war, Beijing has been “working to help achieve a ceasefire and end the conflict.”
Trump stated at a press conference on Monday: F-15 fighter jet shot down A “hand-held shoulder missile” was shot over Iran last week. [a] heat-seeking missile,” he said, and Iran said it used a “new” air defense system to shoot down the jet, without providing further details. It is unclear whether this system is Chinese-made.
Sending MANPADS to Iran will indicate that China’s support to the country will increase since the US and Israel launched a joint military operation in February.
Chinese companies continue to sell approved dual-use technology to Iran, which allows Iran to continue producing weapons and improve navigation systems, but a direct transfer of weapons systems by the Chinese government would mark a new level of aid, the sources said.
Trump is expected to meet Xi in Beijing next month, and the White House said on Wednesday that high-level talks between the United States and China were taking place as ceasefire talks in Iran continued earlier this week.
China does not see real strategic value in openly engaging in conflict and trying to defend Iran against the United States and Israel, which they know will be unwinnable, one of the sources familiar with the intelligence said. Instead, Beijing is trying to position itself as a permanent friend of Iran, which is heavily dependent on its oil, while remaining externally neutral in order to maintain deniability after the war is over.
The Chinese may also make the argument that their air defense systems are defensive rather than offensive in nature, which could differentiate their support from Russia’s, the sources said. Moscow has been providing support to the Iranian regime throughout the war through intelligence sharing that has helped Iran proactively target US troops and assets in the Middle East, CNN reported.
Iran has long established military and economic relations with both China and Russia. Iran has greatly aided Russia in its war against Ukraine through the supply of Shahed drones and also sells much of its sanctioned oil to China.
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