The United States and Israel have been actively targeting and undermining Iran’s missile program. Recent analysis from the Institute for the Study of War, a major military think tank in the United States, has revealed that China has been clandestinely supplying missile fuel components to Iran, assisting the country in rebuilding its missile program and trying to thwart the efforts of the US-Israeli coalition.
According to the Institute for the Study of War, Western media reports have indicated that China has repeatedly transported missile fuel components to Iran since the outbreak of the conflict.
The Washington Post conducted an analysis of vessel tracking data, satellite images, and records from the US Treasury Department. The analysis revealed that in early March, two Iranian vessels loaded with cargo departed from the Gaolan Port in Zhuhai, China. These vessels belong to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), a company sanctioned by the US, UK, and EU for allegedly providing materials to Iran’s ballistic missile program.
Recent reports from The Telegraph suggest that Chinese chemical ships, believed to carry materials for missile fuel production, have arrived in Iran. Since the conflict began, four sanctioned Iranian-flagged vessels have docked at Iranian ports. It is reported that the chemical-laden vessels, sanctioned for potential missile construction, have sailed from Chinese ports to Iranian ports.
Chinese affairs expert Gordon Chang, speaking on Fox News, stated that Communist China is a hostile country in the ongoing conflict and poses a threat to US military security. Chang urged the US government to seize these Chinese vessels, emphasizing that China’s economy heavily relies on exports, with the US being its largest consumer market and holding more leverage in the US-China relationship.
The Institute for the Study of War’s report reveals that Iran has been intensively rebuilding its missile systems since the US-Israeli strikes. Despite the destruction of underground missile facilities and launch wells, Iran has been swift in restoring missile launch capabilities even hours after airstrikes. However, the overall system has been disrupted, limiting the optimal performance of Iran’s medium-range missile systems.
As early as 2023, individual Chinese entities and companies faced US sanctions for violating American military sanctions against Iran. A spokesperson from the US State Department previously told Fox News that, while China publicly claims neutrality in the Iran conflict, it has consistently ignored Iran’s nuclear ambitions and destabilizing activities. China has continuously provided economic and other support to Iran’s authoritarian regime. The US has imposed sanctions on Chinese mainland and Hong Kong entities and individuals involved in supporting Iran’s ballistic missile and drone proliferation activities. The US will continue to take action to ensure that China does not facilitate Iran’s destructive behavior.