China Prepares To Ship MANPADS Air Defense Systems To Iran, US Intelligence Reveals

US intelligence agencies have assessed that China is preparing to deliver new air defense systems to Iran within the next few weeks.

“China to send weapons shipment to Iran amid ceasefire with US: Report Beijing has denied claims it is sending weapons to any party to conflict in Middle East Berk Kutay Gokmen 11 April 2026•Update: 11 April 2026 ISTANBUL US intelligence suggests China may supply Iran with new air defense systems in the coming weeks, even as a delicate ceasefire with Washington remains in place, CNN reported on Saturday citing sources familiar with recent assessments”

Anadolu Ajansı

Beijing is working to route shipments through third countries to conceal their origin.

Anadolu Ajansı

The systems in question are shoulder-fired anti-air missile systems known as MANPADS.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington issued a statement denying the claims.

The report comes as President Trump is expected to visit China next month for talks with Xi Jinping.

Iran may be using the ceasefire period to replenish certain weapon systems.

Death toll estimates diverged sharply across sources.

The Bangladeshi government and Reuters placed the figure at 28.

Axar.Az

The Dhaka Tribune and Guardian at 33.

Al Jazeera correspondents counted at least 41.

Fire service chief Mahmud Iqbal said most victims were near the stairwells on the third and fourth floors.

Witnesses told the BBC that the factory's main exit was locked.

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

Nasrin Begum escaped by jumping from a second-floor window.

The Bangladesh Garment Workers' Federation called a nationwide strike.

Kalpona Akter said Rahman Textile had been cited for fire safety violations in 2024.

This was not an accident. This was corporate murder.

Labour Minister Tahmina Akhter pledged an immediate government investigation.

Rahman Textile produced clothing for several European fashion brands.

Both companies said they were deeply saddened by the deaths.

CNN

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

Clean Clothes Campaign said the audit system was fundamentally broken.

Rahman was being questioned about allegations that emergency exits had been welded shut.