China's embassy in Israel on Tuesday rejected a report claiming that it had transferred missile production equipment or air defense systems to Iran. The embassy emphasized that China firmly opposes the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and never exports arms to countries engaged in warfare.
In its response to Israel Hayom, the Chinese embassy stated: "The embassy finds the contents of the report to be incorrect. As a matter of principle, China firmly opposes the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, and continuously strengthens its enforcement capabilities regarding non-proliferation."
The embassy further stressed that "China never exports weapons to countries engaged in warfare and maintains strict controls on the export of dual-use items. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China upholds a cautious and responsible approach to the export of military-related goods."
The report: Iran receives advanced systems from China
The Middle East Eye report, published Monday, claimed that China had delivered advanced surface-to-air missile systems to Iran in the weeks following the truce with Israel. The report added that Iran was compensating China with oil shipments, and that the deliveries marked an expansion of the growing military ties between the two nations.
Arab sources quoted in the article said that pro-US Arab states were aware of Tehran's efforts to reinforce its air defenses, and that the White House had also been briefed on the matter. According to these sources, Iran's payments were made in oil, of which China remains the largest buyer, purchasing about 90% of Iran's total exports.
Iran's air defense systems sustained significant damage during its war with Israel. According to the Israel Defense Forces, the IDF established aerial superiority early in the fighting over western Iran and the skies above Tehran. The Chinese HQ-9 air defense system, which has reportedly been supplied to Iran, has previously demonstrated effectiveness in the India-Pakistan conflict, where it was credited with downing several French-made Rafale fighter jets.
