The Chinese Communist Party has long claimed to maintain neutrality on Middle East issues and often calls for peace. However, due to its heavy reliance on Iran for oil and continuous behind-the-scenes support to Iran, it has been exposed for transferring dual-use military technology and equipment to Iran, with scholars suggesting that China’s actions are tantamount to participation in the conflict.
Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s resident senior researcher Raji Rajagopalan pointed out in a recent article that the weapons supply relationship between China and Iran dates back several decades, involving tactics such as avoiding UN sanctions by exchanging weapons for oil. Additionally, China, along with Russia and Iran, share broader strategic interests in undermining the US-led international order.
In recent weeks, multiple reports have revealed China’s extensive support for Iran. According to a report from the Financial Times on April 15th, China provided Iran with commercial reconnaissance satellites to provide precise target information for targeting US military facilities in the Middle East. Furthermore, Beijing’s Earth Eye Co constructed and launched the TEE-01B satellite for Iran, providing in-orbit delivery services. Beijing Emposat also supplied Iran with satellite data and control services to help Iran target and attack US military bases.
Reports also disclosed that Hangzhou-based geospatial artificial intelligence and software company MizarVision released satellite images of marked US military facilities before and during conflicts.
On April 12th, CNN reported that in the coming weeks, China would provide Iran with shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles that pose a serious threat to helicopters and low-flying combat aircraft. To conceal the source, China is expected to transport them through a third country.
On April 3rd, the UK’s Telegraph revealed that China provided Iran with chemicals for ballistic missiles. Four sanctioned ships docked in an Iranian port, with another waiting nearby; all five vessels returned from China’s Zhuhai Gaolan Port carrying precursor materials of rocket propellant sodium chlorate, enough to produce hundreds of ballistic missiles. These ships belong to the sanctioned Iran Shipping Lines under the UK, US, and EU.
An earlier Wall Street Journal report highlighted that two Iranian ships loaded with around 1000 tons of sodium chlorate from a Chinese port, enough to manufacture 260 medium-range Iranian missiles.
In late February this year, Reuters reported that Iran and China were finalizing a deal for Chinese-made CM-302 anti-ship cruise missiles. With a range of 290 km, the CM-302 is an export version of China’s YJ-12 missile.
In addition to military assistance, there are reports indicating that China is aiding Iran in developing drone projects and other initiatives to enhance its combat capabilities.