Beijing: China on Monday dismissed reports alleging it supplied or planned to supply weapons to Iran as “baseless smears,” following claims by US intelligence sources cited in multiple Western media outlets, AFP reported.
The denial came after US President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened Beijing with a “staggering” new tariff of 50 per cent should it provide any military assistance to Tehran. His stern warning heightened diplomatic friction amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, where Iran has been locked in conflict with regional adversaries.
Trump’s comments coincided with a CNN report on Sunday, which, citing three people familiar with the assessments, stated that US intelligence indicated China was preparing to deliver new air defence
systems to Iran within the next few weeks. Separately, over the weekend, The New York Times quoted US officials asserting that intelligence suggested Beijing might have already dispatched a shipment of shoulder-fired missiles to the Islamic Republic.
In response, China’s Foreign Ministry categorically rejected the allegations during a regular news briefing on Monday. Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun affirmed, “China had ‘always adopted a cautious and responsible attitude towards the export of military items, implementing strict controls in accordance with its own export control laws and regulations and its international obligations’.” He added firmly, “We oppose baseless smears or malicious association.”
While China remains a pivotal economic partner for Iran —purchasing the bulk of its oil exports — the two nations lack a formal military alliance. Analysts widely view their relationship as largely transactional, with Beijing prioritizing pragmatic trade interests. This dynamic is further complicated by China’s robust economic ties to Gulf Arab states, which it has openly criticized Iran for targeting during the protracted regional war.