China Set to Deliver Hundreds of Shoulder-Fired Missiles to Iran Despite Trump’s Warning

Less than a week after U.S. President Donald Trump warned China and Russia against supplying weapons to Iran, Reuters reported that Beijing plans to deliver 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air defense missiles to Tehran. Three sources close to the deal told Reuters this is the first shipment of up to 400 MANPADS (man-portable air-defense systems), aimed at helping Iran rebuild its air defense capabilities damaged in conflicts with the U.S. and Israel. The deal is valued between $60 million and $70 million, with the initial shipment expected within weeks.

The contract reportedly includes 300 to 400 portable air defense systems, specifically QW-12 and FN-16 missiles produced in China. The intermediary for the transaction is Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment, a Hong Kong-based company. Iran’s Foreign Ministry did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment, while China’s Foreign Ministry denied the reports, calling them baseless and emphasizing China’s consistent role in promoting peace.

The weapons are expected to strengthen Iran’s short-range air defense, which has struggled to protect military and strategic infrastructure during recent hostilities. The missiles will be transported initially by air from western China to Pakistan, then onward to Iran, despite Pakistan’s official denial of involvement in arms transfers. Sources indicated that land routes are also being considered to discreetly move Chinese military equipment and dual-use components to Iran.

This development contradicts President Trump’s recent claims that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin assured him they would not supply arms to Iran. Trump had posted on his social media platform that both leaders promised not to sell or transfer weapons to the Islamic Republic. Meanwhile, U.S. intelligence is investigating possible Russian assistance to Iran in drone attacks on American targets in the Middle East.

Military experts note that while these shoulder-fired missiles do not defend against fighter jets or bombers, their mobility and ease of deployment make them valuable for protecting sensitive sites against low-flying threats such as drones and helicopters. The acquisition underscores Iran’s ongoing reliance on a combination of domestic production and foreign suppliers despite sanctions. Reuters also previously reported that Iran is close to securing a separate deal with China for anti-ship cruise missiles, though its status remains unclear.