Iran is reportedly moving forward with a major purchase of hundreds of Chinese-made shoulder-fired air defense missiles, a development that could undermine Chinese President Xi Jinping’s reported assurances to President Donald Trump that Beijing would not arm the Islamic Republic. The reported deal also threatens to complicate renewed U.S. efforts to negotiate with Tehran over its nuclear program.

According to Reuters, which cited three sources familiar with the arrangement, Iran has agreed to purchase between 300 and 400 Chinese-made man-portable air defense systems, known as MANPADS, in an agreement worth between $60 million and $70 million.

If completed, the acquisition would represent one of Iran’s largest efforts to restore its battered air defense network after months of coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes exposed serious weaknesses in its ability to shield military installations, missile sites, and other strategic assets, Reuters reported.

The reported transaction also presents a potential challenge for the Trump administration as it seeks to reopen diplomatic talks with Tehran.

Trump has repeatedly cautioned China against supplying military equipment to Iran and has publicly stated that Xi assured him Beijing was not providing weapons to the regime.

Should the missile transfer move ahead as reported, it would likely raise new doubts about whether China followed through on those commitments.

China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the report outright.

“The relevant reports are completely groundless,” a ministry spokesperson said, according to Reuters, adding that China has consistently worked to promote peace and end the conflict.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond when Reuters sought comment on the report.

Reuters said the agreement was reportedly brokered through Hong Kong-based Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment, which sources described as serving as an intermediary between Iran and the Chinese supplier.

The first shipment is expected to consist of Chinese QW-12 and FN-16 shoulder-fired missile systems, Reuters reported. The infrared-guided weapons are designed to target helicopters, drones, and other aircraft flying at low altitudes.

Sources familiar with the arrangement told Reuters the initial delivery could arrive within weeks, while emphasizing that both the timetable and the final number of missiles remain subject to change.

Reuters also reported that the shipment is expected to travel from western China through Pakistan before ultimately reaching Iran.

Pakistan’s military rejected claims that it would play any role in transporting the weapons.

Pakistan’s military public relations office called reports that it would assist in transporting the weapons “absolutely concocted and false,” Reuters reported.

Defense experts told Reuters that mobile shoulder-fired missile systems would strengthen Iran’s defenses because they can be easily relocated and hidden, making them much harder to eliminate than fixed air defense installations.

According to Reuters, the missiles are intended to protect critical military bases, nuclear facilities, and other strategic sites that sustained heavy damage during the recent conflict.

Iran has been engaged in a broad effort to rebuild its military capabilities after repeated U.S. and Israeli operations targeted its missile arsenal, drone infrastructure, and integrated air defense system.

Reuters reported that the planned missile purchase is one element of Iran’s wider campaign to restore military capabilities that were significantly degraded during the fighting.

The reported agreement comes as the Trump administration attempts to revive negotiations with Tehran aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Trump has repeatedly warned that if diplomacy fails to produce an agreement blocking Iran’s path to a nuclear weapon, the United States is prepared to resume military action.

If the reported Chinese missile shipment is carried out, it could inject new tensions into those negotiations while intensifying concerns in Washington over Beijing’s role in helping Iran rebuild its military strength.

{Matzav.com}