Khaberni - American intelligence information indicates that China is preparing to deliver new air defense systems to Iran in the coming weeks, according to three sources familiar with recent intelligence assessments.
The intelligence also confirms how Iran could exploit a ceasefire as an opportunity to replenish its stockpile of certain weapon systems with the help of major foreign partners.
Two sources told CNN that there are indications that Beijing is routing the shipments through third countries to obscure their true origin.
Sources said that the systems Beijing is preparing to transfer are shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missile systems known as "MANPADS," which have posed a disproportionate threat to U.S. military aircraft flying at low altitudes throughout the five-week war, a scenario that could recur if the ceasefire collapses.
A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington said: "China has not supplied weapons to any party involved in the conflict; the circulated information is incorrect. As a major responsible country, China consistently adheres to its international commitments. We urge the American side to refrain from making baseless accusations, maliciously linking matters, and engaging in media sensationalism; we hope that the concerned parties will make more efforts to de-escalate tensions."
Earlier this week, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy told CNN that Beijing, since the beginning of the U.S.-Israeli-Iranian war, "has been working to facilitate a ceasefire and end the conflict."
Trump mentioned during a press conference on Monday that the F-15 fighter jet that was shot down over Iran last week was hit by a shoulder-launched, thermaly-guided missile, while Iran stated that it used a "new" air defense system to strike the aircraft without providing further details. It is still unclear whether this system is of Chinese manufacture.
Shipping shoulder-launched air defense missiles to Iran would represent an escalation in China's support for it since the United States and Israel launched their joint military campaign in February.
Sources mentioned that Chinese companies continued to sell dual-use technology under sanctions to the Iranians, which enables Iran to continue developing weapons and improving their navigation systems; however, a direct transfer of weapon systems by the Chinese government would represent a new level of assistance.
One source familiar with the intelligence said that China sees no real strategic benefit in openly entering the conflict and attempting to protect Iran from the United States and Israel, which it fully realizes it cannot win. Instead, Beijing seeks to cement its image as a perpetual ally to Iran—which heavily relies on it for oil—while maintaining its apparent neutrality to ensure deniability of any role after the war ends.
The sources noted that the Chinese might justify their support by claiming that the air defense systems are defensive in nature and not offensive, distinguishing their support from that of Russia. CNN reported that Moscow has supported the Iranian regime throughout the war by exchanging intelligence information, which has helped Iran preemptively target American forces and assets in the Middle East.
Iran has long had military and economic relations with both China and Russia. Iran has provided significant support to Russia in its war against Ukraine by supplying it with "Shahed" drones, while China buys the majority of its sanctioned oil.
This move is provocative, especially since Beijing stated that it contributed to reaching a fragile ceasefire agreement that halted the war between Iran and the United States earlier this week. President Donald Trump is also scheduled to visit China early next month for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Trump is expected to meet with Xi Jinping next month in Beijing, and on Wednesday, the White House announced high-level talks between the United States and China concurrently with the ceasefire negotiations with Iran that took place earlier this week.
