Tel Aviv: The US and Israel are exchanging intelligence related to the possible supply of weapon systems and related technologies from China to Iran.
According to defence sources, there is growing evidence that China has started or is getting ready to give Iran weapons and materials connected to missiles, possibly including direct arms shipments and missile component supplies.
Although China formally refutes or minimises these actions, the two nations’ strategic alliance is strengthening, particularly as Iran looks for alternatives to Russian military assistance. To prevent overt escalation and safeguard its larger regional interests, China continues to carefully balance its activities.
The Iranian defence minister General Aziz Nasirzadeh recently visited China to attend the defence ministers’ conference of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
According to Iranian media, the Iranian defence minister met with top Chinese officials and discussed regional developments and bilateral relations, with a focus on strengthening Tehran-Beijing military collaboration.
According to the sources, there are credible reports indicating that Chinese and Russian military cargo planes have recently delivered weapons, air defences, and missile systems to Iran. For the first time, a Chinese military cargo plane was tracked landing in Iran, suggesting a new phase of direct military support.
Additional reports highlight that Iran has ordered large quantities of materials from China, specifically ammonium perchlorate, which is used to produce solid-fuel for ballistic missiles. This shipment could enable Iran to manufacture up to 800 missiles. However, China’s Foreign Ministry claims to be unaware of such a shipment.
Historically, China has supplied Iran with conventional weapons, including tanks, anti-ship missiles, and missile components, particularly during the Iran-Iraq War. In recent years, direct arms transfers were constrained by UN embargoes and China’s desire to avoid overtly provoking the West, but intelligence reports suggest continued provision of dual-use technology and missile components.
Iran is a major supplier of oil to China and both countries in recent years strengthened their relations.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
