President Donald Trump expressed surprise and consternation over a report indicating that China is supplying weapons to Iran, stating that Chinese President Xi Jinping had assured him such a deal would not occur.
According to three sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Reuters, China and Iran have finalized an agreement for Beijing to provide up to 400 shoulder-fired air defense launchers to the Islamic Republic. The deal could enhance Tehran's ability to counter U.S. air assets, where American forces currently hold air superiority.
Trump, who has previously stated that Xi Jinping agreed not to send weapons to Iran, was asked about the report. "Well, that would be surprising," Trump responded. "I mean, things like that happen. He (Xi) told me very strongly he wouldn't partake, and he knows I'd be quite disappointed."
However, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has flatly denied the reporting. A spokesperson stated, "The relevant reports are completely groundless. China has consistently played a role in promoting peace and ending the conflict."
Pakistan's military media, ISPR, also denied any involvement in the supply chain, stating, "Speculations of Pakistan being involved in supply of Air Defence weapons to Iran from China are absolutely concocted and false."
The sources who briefed Reuters cautioned that while the arms deal has been signed, specific details such as delivery timelines and exact quantities remain subject to change. Under the reported agreement, the shipments of air defense systems are expected to depart from Urumqi, China, travel through Pakistan, and then reach Iran.
The reported sale underscores Iran's reliance on rivals to the U.S. for military capabilities and its diminishing capacity to defend against American forces. Experts note that shoulder-launched systems, such as the QW-12 and FN-16 missiles, are more portable and harder to detect than static air defense systems, allowing users to quickly engage low-flying aircraft like helicopters and drones before returning to cover.
This reported incident follows an earlier event in April when Trump remarked that U.S. forces had intercepted a ship carrying what he described as a "gift from China perhaps" to Iran. He expressed surprise at the time but did not elaborate on potential consequences for China.