Share and Follow
China is gearing up to supply Iran with new air defense systems in the coming weeks, according to reports from CNN on Saturday. This development follows a series of U.S. and Israeli attacks targeting Iran’s military and missile infrastructure over the past month.
Citing information from three individuals familiar with recent U.S. intelligence evaluations, CNN noted that two of these sources suggested that China might use third-party countries to obscure the origins of the defense systems being shipped to Iran.
When questioned about these intelligence reports, President Trump commented to CNN, “If China does that, China will have big problems, OK?” However, he did not specify whether he had discussed the matter with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with whom he is slated to meet in early May.
The meeting between President Trump and President Xi, primarily aimed at addressing issues related to tariffs following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the president’s tariffs, has been delayed due to the ongoing tensions with Iran.
According to the sources, China is set to deliver Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems (MANPADS) to Iran. These shoulder-fired missile systems are designed to protect against low-flying aircraft.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington told CNN that China has “never provided weapons to any party” involved in the conflict with Iran. They urged “the U.S. side to refrain from making baseless allegations, maliciously drawing connections, and engaging in sensationalism; we hope that relevant parties will do more to help de-escalate tensions.”
Previous intelligence reports have indicated that China, along with Russia, has been supporting Iran with its presence and alliance with the Middle Eastern country.
Trump earlier this month referred to China, Japan and South Korea as countries that could send troops to the region to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“Let South Korea, you know, we only have 45,000 soldiers in harm’s way over there, right next to a nuclear force — let South Korea do it,” Trump said at a Wednesday Easter luncheon prior to his address to the nation on April 1. “Let Japan do it. They get 90 percent of their oil from the strait. Let China do it.”