China is preparing to send a new air defense system to Iran within the coming weeks, according to a recent U.S. intelligence report. The report was published by CNN, citing three officials familiar with the matter. The U.S. intelligence assessment claims that Tehran is attempting to replenish its weapons stockpile with the help of foreign partners during the ceasefire period. Two sources told CNN that, to conceal the true origin of the weapons, they are not being delivered directly; instead, Beijing is working to route them through a third country before reaching Iran. According to the sources, China is supplying MANPADS—shoulder-fired anti-missile systems—which previously posed a major threat to low-flying U.S. military aircraft during the conflict. If the ceasefire collapses, these weapons could once again become a serious concern for the United States. However, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington rejected the claims, stating, “China has never supplied weapons to any party in the conflict. This information is false.” The spokesperson added, “As a responsible major power, China always fulfills its international obligations. We urge the United States to refrain from making baseless accusations and spreading sensational claims with ulterior motives.” Earlier this week, a Chinese embassy official had stated that since the beginning of the Iran conflict, Beijing has been working tirelessly to implement a ceasefire and bring an end to hostilities. At a press conference on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump said that the American F-15 Eagle fighter jet shot down in Iranian airspace last week was targeted with a shoulder-fired “heat-seeking” missile. Iran, on the other hand, claimed that a “new” air defense system was used to bring down the aircraft, though it did not provide further details. Sources also claim that Chinese companies have long been supplying Iran with dual-use technologies, enabling Tehran to continuously develop weapons and improve its navigation systems. A source familiar with the intelligence report said that China has no strategic incentive to openly enter the conflict to defend Iran against the United States and Israel; instead, Beijing is seeking to portray itself as a close ally of Iran, particularly as it remains heavily dependent on Iranian oil supplies.
China preparing to send air defense system to Iran, US intelligence claims
