China Prepares To Deliver MANPAD Air Defense Systems To Iran Amid Ceasefire

US intelligence indicates China is preparing to deliver shoulder-fired anti-air missile systems known as MANPADs to Iran within the next few weeks.

Three sources familiar with recent intelligence assessments told CNN that Beijing is working to route the shipments through third countries to mask their true origin.

Al-Jazeera Net

A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington said, "China has never provided weapons to any party to the conflict; the information in question is untrue."

The intelligence surfaced days after China was credited with helping broker the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran.

The death toll from the Rahman Textile factory fire diverged sharply across sources.

Reuters and BBC reported at least 28 killed, while the Dhaka Tribune and Guardian cited 33 confirmed dead.

CNBC

Al Jazeera's correspondents counted at least 41 bodies, a figure significantly higher than the official counts.

Police detained factory owner Faisal Rahman, with Rashid Khan telling the Dhaka Tribune that "our initial inspection confirms the exits were not usable."

Fire service chief Mahmud Iqbal said rescue crews "found most of the victims near the stairwells on the third and fourth floors."

Survivors described workers pounding on locked metal doors as smoke filled the stairwells.

Nasrin Begum told Al Jazeera: "We could hear them screaming but we could not reach them."

The Bangladesh Garment Workers' Federation called a nationwide strike.

Federation president Kalpona Akter said Rahman Textile had been cited for fire safety violations in 2024 but had continued operating.

Labour Minister Tahmina Akhter pledged an immediate government investigation.

Firefighter Mahmud Iqbal said 47 people had been injured, including 12 in critical condition.

Rahman Textile produced clothing for several European fashion brands, including Hessen and BrandBox.

Both companies said they were deeply saddened and would review their Bangladesh operations.

CNN

Hessen's compliance team had audited the factory in March.

Clean Clothes Campaign spokesperson Ineke Zeldenrust told the Guardian that the audit system was fundamentally broken.

The Dhaka Tribune reported that Rahman was being questioned about allegations that the factory's emergency exits had been welded shut.