U.S. intelligence suggests China is preparing to deliver new air defense systems to Iran within weeks, despite brokering a recent ceasefire.
China Preparing Air Defense System Transfer
U.S. intelligence services believe China is preparing to deliver new air defense systems to Iran within the next few weeks, CNN reported Saturday, citing three sources familiar with the latest intelligence assessments.
CNN assesses this would be a provocative move, given Beijing stated it helped negotiate the ceasefire in the war between the U.S. and Iran, which came into effect earlier this week, and President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit China in early May for talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Iran May Replenish Arms During Ceasefire
Intelligence indicates Iran may use the ceasefire as an opportunity to replenish supplies of certain weapons systems with the help of key foreign partners.
Indirect Delivery Route Suspected
Two sources told CNN there are indications Beijing is attempting to route the deliveries through third countries to conceal their true origin.
MANPADS Systems Included in Potential Delivery
According to these sources, the systems China is preparing to transfer are portable air defense systems, known as MANPADS, which posed an asymmetric threat to low-flying U.S. military aircraft during the five-week war and could pose such a threat again if the ceasefire breaks down.
Increased Chinese Support for Iran
CNN notes that delivering MANPADS to Iran would represent an increase in support from China since the start of the joint U.S. and Israeli military campaign in February. Sources say Chinese firms continue to sell Iran sanctioned dual-use technology enabling it to further produce weapons and improve navigation systems, but a direct transfer of weapons systems by the Chinese government would represent a new level of support.
China Denies Allegations
A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington denied the reports, stating, “China has never supplied weapons to any party in the conflict” and called on the U.S. to “refrain from making unfounded accusations.”
Asia Pays a High Price for War in Iran
“We have no fuel, although we have money.” Asia is paying a high price for the war in Iran, writes Iwona Görke on Wyborcza.pl.
