Amid the ongoing Iran-US tensions, China — which had so far been backing Tehran from behind the scenes — now appears to have entered the picture openly. According to media reports, China is now selling advanced air defense missiles to Iran as part of this conflict, with the first batch of the stockpile expected to reach Tehran soon.
China’s Entry into the Iran-US Tensions
There have been repeated reports over the long-running military conflict between Iran and the US and Israel, suggesting that Russia and China have jointly been assisting Iran. While both countries have denied this each time, China now appears to be directly intervening in the conflict. China is reportedly taking on the responsibility of strengthening Iran’s power in the Gulf region and bolstering its air defense capabilities. Media reports indicate that in the coming weeks, Iran may receive a large number of advanced shoulder-fired air defense missiles (MANPADS) from China.
According to a report by the Pakistani news portal ‘Samaa TV’, as part of this deal, Iran is set to receive China’s QW-12 and FN-16 missile systems. The first batch is expected to include 300 to 400 missile systems, and the value of this defense deal is estimated at around $60-70 million, roughly ₹610 crore. However, China has completely denied this report, which was based on sources. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that all such reports regarding weapons supply are baseless, and that Beijing has always sought peace.
Is China Set to Strengthen Iran’s Air Defense?
Reports suggest that weaknesses in Iran’s air defense system were exposed following recent attacks by the US and Israel on several military bases in Iran in the past months. This has reportedly led Iran to decide to strengthen its short-range air defense systems. If true, this would be the largest short-range air defense deal Iran has entered into in recent times. It is reported that the deal was brokered through a Hong Kong-based company called ‘Zhangqing Baoshang International Investment’, which acted as an intermediary between Iranian officials and Chinese suppliers.
China has completely denied these reports, making clear that Beijing always supports policies favoring peace and the end of disputes. However, reports suggest that the first batch of these missiles may be sent by air from the city of Urumqi in China, and could then be transported to Iran via Pakistan. Responding to this, Pakistan’s Army Public Relations wing clarified that Pakistan has no role whatsoever in the transfer of air defense weapons from China to Iran.
What Are MANPADS?
MANPADS (Man-Portable Air Defense Systems) are highly advanced shoulder-fired missile systems. They are extremely effective during warfare. They can be easily transported from one location to another and can be operated even with a small number of soldiers, which makes them difficult for enemies to target.
Missiles like the QW-12 and FN-16 operate using infrared technology and can accurately shoot down low-flying fighter jets, helicopters, and drones.