WASHINGTON — U.S. intelligence indicates that China is preparing to deliver new air defense systems to Iran within the next few weeks, CNN reported on Friday, citing three people familiar with recent assessments.
The systems include shoulder-fired anti-air missile systems known as MANPADs, which could pose risks to low-flying aircraft if the current ceasefire unravels, the sources said. There are indications that Beijing may attempt to route the shipments through third countries to conceal their origin, according to the report, which was also carried by Reuters and other outlets.
The assessment comes as U.S. Vice President JD Vance leads a delegation in Islamabad, Pakistan, for high-stakes ceasefire negotiations with Iranian officials that began on Saturday. The talks aim to solidify a fragile truce that paused more than five weeks of conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
China’s embassy in Washington denied the intelligence claims, stating that “the information in question is untrue,” CNN reported. Beijing has previously said it helped broker elements of the ceasefire agreement.
The reported preparations follow earlier U.S. concerns about Chinese dual-use materials and components reaching Iran’s missile program during the escalation. Specific details on the volume or exact timing of any potential shipments remained unclear as of Saturday.
President Donald Trump has warned that any country supplying arms to Iran could face immediate 50 percent tariffs, according to separate statements reported in the context of the intelligence findings.
As of Saturday, no confirmation of actual shipments had been reported, and outcomes from the ongoing Islamabad talks were not yet known. The White House and State Department had not issued immediate public comments on the CNN report beyond the broader context of the negotiations.
