China has denied transferring hundreds of missile systems to Iran
China has denied reports that it is allegedly preparing to transfer hundreds of man-portable air defense systems to Iran. Beijing stated that reports of a possible arms shipment are false and that China is allegedly seeking only to help resolve conflicts.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rejected reports that Beijing plans to transfer between 300 and 400 man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) to Iran. According to CNN, citing a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, ministry spokesperson Mao Ning called such reports false and baseless.
Earlier, Reuters reported that China was allegedly considering transferring hundreds of MANPADS to Iran. According to journalists, the cost of such weapons could range from $60 million to $70 million. In response, Beijing stated that this information is not true. “These reports are false and completely baseless. China’s role has always been to promote peace and bring an end to the conflict,” Mao Ning said.
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, the country advocates for diplomatic solutions to international disputes and does not seek to escalate military confrontation. Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump said he would be “very disappointed” in Chinese President Xi Jinping if China actually decided to supply weapons to Iran.
Reports of possible military cooperation between Beijing and Tehran emerged amid tensions in the Middle East and increased Western scrutiny of China’s role in supporting other countries. Beijing currently officially denies any plans to transfer man-portable air defense systems to Iran, according to CNN.
The American company Seasats stated that its civilian maritime drone, Lightfish, approached a Chinese military vessel that was in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. This is the first video of its kind released by a private American company.
