CNN: China Suspected of Supplying Surface-to-Air Missiles to Iran via Third Countries

As the United States and Iran entered a two-week ceasefire, CNN reported that there are indications China is seeking to provide Iran with a new air defense weapon system.

On the 11th (local time), as the first ceasefire negotiations between the United States and Iran are scheduled to take place, the Islamabad Highway in Pakistan appears quiet. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On April 11 (local time), CNN, citing multiple intelligence sources, reported that China is preparing to deliver weapons to Iran within the next few weeks.

According to U.S. intelligence authorities, the weapon China intends to provide to Iran is a shoulder-fired surface-to-air missile known as a "Man-Portable Air Defense System (MANPADS)." This weapon poses a deadly threat to low-flying fighter jets and helicopters, and throughout the recent conflict, it has presented an "asymmetric threat" to U.S. forces.

President Donald Trump, at a press conference on April 6, commented on the downing of a U.S. F-15 fighter jet over Iranian airspace, stating, "It may have been hit by a portable shoulder-launched missile, that is, a heat-seeking missile."

It has been reported that China is seeking to use indirect delivery routes via third countries to conceal the true origin of the weapons, further fueling suspicions.

Just a few days ago, China claimed to have played a mediating role in brokering the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran. While presenting itself as a peace mediator on the surface, evidence has emerged that China is attempting to supply weapons to one of the parties involved in the conflict, making it difficult for Beijing to avoid criticism from the international community.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the United States immediately denied the reports, stating, "China has never provided weapons to any party in the conflict, and the information in question is completely untrue."

Intelligence sources analyzed that although China is outwardly maintaining a neutral stance, its strategic intention is to preserve its relationship with Iran, which is an economically important partner for crude oil imports. Some also raise the possibility that China may try to evade responsibility by claiming that air defense systems are "defensive weapons."

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump, on April 8 through Truth Social, warned that "any country supplying military weapons to Iran should be prepared for a 50% tariff," emphasizing that there would be no exceptions to these strong sanctions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.