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China Prepares to Ship MANPAD Air Defense Systems to Iran Amid Ceasefire Talks

01 April, 2026.Iran.16 sources

Key Takeaways

US intelligence says China plans to deliver air defense systems, including MANPADS, to Iran soon.
Shipments reportedly routed through third countries to conceal the backchannel transfer.
Beijing claims to have brokered the fragile ceasefire amid the reports.

China's Weapon Shipment to Iran

US intelligence indicates China is preparing to deliver new air defense systems to Iran within the next few weeks.

“US intelligence indicates that China is preparing to deliver new air defense systems to Iran within the next few weeks, according to three people familiar with recent intelligence assessments”

CNN

The systems are shoulder-fired anti-air missile systems known as MANPADs.

CNN

Two sources told CNN there are indications Beijing is working to route the shipments through third countries.

President Trump warned that if China does that, China will have big problems.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy said China has never provided weapons to any party to the conflict.

Diverging Death Toll Reports

Death toll estimates diverged sharply across sources.

The Bangladeshi government and Reuters placed the figure at 28.

Kurdistan24

The Dhaka Tribune and Guardian at 33.

Al Jazeera correspondents counted at least 41.

Fire service chief Mahmud Iqbal said rescue crews found most of the victims near the stairwells.

Survivors and the Strike Call

Survivors described scenes of workers pounding on locked metal doors.

“China is preparing to deliver new air defense systems to Iran in the next few weeks, according to a report citing sources with knowledge of US intelligence”