China Denies Arming Iran Amid US Claims of Missile Shipments

China has maintained a delicate balance in its military relationship with Iran for most of the past two decades, often offering indirect assistance rather than overt arms sales.

After arms sales to Iran exploded in the 1980s, they nearly vanished in the last decade due to UN embargoes and US sanctions.

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Chinese support for Iran in recent years has taken the form of components that can be used in civilian technologies as well as in missiles and drones.

American officials told The New York Times that intelligence agencies are assessing whether China has sent shoulder-fired missiles to Iran in recent weeks.

China dismissed these allegations as purely fabricated, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian warning that if the US proceeds with tariff hikes on China, China will respond with countermeasures.

The outbreak of the Iran-Iraq War in 1980 coincided with major reforms in the Chinese market.

A flood of missiles, fighter aircraft, tanks, armored vehicles, and Chinese assault rifles were sent to Iran starting in 1982, peaking in 1987.

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At the same time, China sold more weapons to Iraq, leading to a situation in which the two warring sides fought with the same Chinese weapons.

The Reagan administration opposed sales of Chinese weapons to Iran, specifically the Silkworm anti-ship missiles.

The United States responded then by restricting exports of some high-technology products to China.

Beijing denied selling weapons directly to Iran, but said it would do more to prevent the flow of its military exports to Iran through intermediaries.

After the war, Iran sought to develop its industrial military base with China's help.

One of its main products was the Noor anti-ship missile, designed through reverse engineering of the Chinese C-802 missiles.

In 2006, the United Nations imposed sanctions on Iran's nuclear and ballistic programs.

China voted in favor of the resolution and largely refrained from signing new official arms deals with Tehran.

China continued to supply Iran with dual-use technologies and materials that helped it build an arsenal of missiles and drones.

The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on front companies in China and Hong Kong.

Iran used a Chinese-built spy satellite to monitor and target US military bases across the Middle East.

The satellite, named TEE-01B, was secretly acquired by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force in late 2024.

Al Jazeera

Built by Chinese firm Earth Eye Co, the satellite was transferred in orbit under a little-known export model described as in-orbit delivery.

Leaked documents show that Iranian commanders used the satellite to monitor key US military facilities before and after missile and drone strikes.

China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the claims as purely fabricated.

This pattern of support extends to precision technology fields, including electronic components and guidance systems and electronic warfare.