(April 11): US intelligence indicates that China is preparing to provide Iran with air defence systems in a matter of weeks, CNN reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
Beijing is expected to ship shoulder-fired, surface-to-air missiles known as Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) to Iran, according to the report. MANPADS can be operated by one person and are easy to transport, conceal and use, and the US has for decades prioritised the need to prevent their proliferation.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington denied the allegations to CNN, saying: “China has never provided weapons to any party to the conflict; the information in question is untrue.”
Any weapons transfer from Beijing to Tehran would call into question China’s role in the conflict days after the Asian giant was credited with helping to broker the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran.
China’s reported role — which it has neither confirmed nor denied — highlighted the country’s ability to diplomatically leverage its relationship with all nations involved, marking a departure from its long-held preference of staying on the sidelines in other countries’ disputes.
News of a potential weapons transfer comes as US Vice President JD Vance leads a US delegation to Islamabad for talks with Iranian officials this weekend. The outcome of the meetings may determine whether the ceasefire turns into a lasting peace or collapses.
See also: Trump threatens Iran as Vance heads to Pakistan for talks
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