China Sent Over 1,300 Missile, Drone Component Shipments to Iran
U.S. officials have linked Iranian use of satellite imagery, provided by Chinese firms, to a July 17 attack that killed three American soldiers. Despite this involvement and extensive Chinese support for Iran's war effort since February, President Trump and his administration are downplaying Beijing's role to maintain good relations ahead of his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington this week. According to Iranian customs data analyzed by The Wall Street Journal, China delivered approximately 1,300 shipments of dual-use components to Iran's Ministry of Defense by the end of June. This equipment includes tracking devices, electric motors, and chemical materials used in the production of ballistic missiles and Shahed drones.
The flow of components did not cease even during a temporary lull in hostilities. Days after the U.S. and Iran agreed to a 60-day ceasefire on June 17, electronics worth over $6 million, used in missile guidance systems, arrived in Tehran from China. To circumvent the U.S. naval blockade, Iran significantly expanded its air cargo operations from China. Mahan Air increased its cargo flights to Tehran from four per week in March to 39 weekly flights by early September.
Concurrently, China remains Iran's primary oil purchaser, buying over 80% of Tehran's exports. Chinese shell companies and banks facilitate money laundering using Chinese currency to evade sanctions, injecting billions of dollars that sustain Iran's economy. The administration's conciliatory approach toward Beijing is drawing internal criticism. Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin urged Trump to make Chinese support for Iran a central topic in his talks with Xi, emphasizing that Chinese companies are helping to kill Americans.
However, Trump dismissed these concerns, stating he believes Xi has "behaved pretty well" and contradicting his own Defense Secretary, Mark Esper, who had warned that China enables Iran's actions. Trump also expressed trust in Presidents Xi and Putin. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pledged a "very frank conversation" on the issue at the summit. Conversely, despite launching "Operation Maximum Pressure" in late August to cut off Iran's financial lifelines, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin declined to commit to escalating sanctions against Chinese banks. Beijing maintains it operates within international rules, rejects unilateral U.S. sanctions, and opposes what it calls "attempts to smear China."
