Xi Jinping
US intelligence assessments indicate that China is preparing to deliver new air defence systems to Iran within the next few weeks, according to CNN.The development comes as China has publicly said that it helped support efforts to broker a fragile ceasefire that paused the recent US–Iran conflict.It also comes ahead of expected high-level talks, with US President Donald Trump scheduled to visit China next month for discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping.The intelligence findings suggest that Iran may be using the ceasefire period to rebuild parts of its air defence network with assistance from key partners, despite ongoing international scrutiny.According to CNN citing sources, there are indications that China is attempting to route the shipments through third countries in order to conceal their origin. The systems under discussion are shoulder-fired anti-air missiles, known as MANPADS, which can pose a serious threat to low-flying military aircraft.These systems had already played a significant role during the five-week conflict, where such weapons created risks for US aircraft operating in the region. Officials said that they could again become a threat if the ceasefire breaks down.A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington rejected the allegations, saying China has not supplied weapons to any party in the conflict. “China has never provided weapons to any party to the conflict; the information in question is untrue.”The spokesperson added that China, as a “responsible major country,” is committed to international obligations and urged the United States to avoid baseless claims.The embassy had earlier stated that China has been working to support efforts to end the conflict and promote a ceasefire.The intelligence also comes amid broader geopolitical tensions involving Iran’s military capabilities. During the conflict, Trump said an F-15 fighter jet was reportedly shot down by a “handheld shoulder missile”.Iran had separately claimed it used a ‘new’ air defence system in the attack. At present, Chinese companies are already believed to be supplying Iran with sanctioned dual-use technologies that can support weapons development and navigation systems. However, direct transfer of complete weapons systems by the Chinese state would represent a significantly higher level of involvement.China is also preparing for high-level engagement with the United States, with Trump expected to meet Xi in Beijing next month. The White House has said that diplomatic contact between US and Chinese officials has continued even as ceasefire negotiations involving Iran were underway.One source familiar with the intelligence assessment said China is unlikely to enter the conflict openly, as it sees little strategic benefit in confrontation with the US and Israel.Instead, Beijing is believed to be aiming to maintain its relationship with Iran while preserving plausible deniability internationally.Officials also highlight that China may argue the systems are defensive in nature, distinguishing them from offensive weapons supplied by other countries involved in the conflict. Russia, for example, has been accused of providing intelligence support to Iran during the war, while China and Russia maintain broader strategic ties with Tehran.Iran has long-standing military and economic relationships with both countries. It has supplied Shahed drones to Russia for use in the Ukraine war, while also exporting a significant share of its sanctioned oil to China.
