China sending anti-air missiles to Iran despite Trump's friendship with Xi
China sending anti-air missiles to Iran despite Trump's friendship with Xi
Yelena Mandenberg Thu, July 30, 2026 at 1:47 AM UTC
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Trump says Xi Jinping assured him that China wouldn't arm Iran (Image: Getty)
China is being accused of facilitating a large shipment of portable anti-aircraft weapons to Iran to rebuild damaged air defenses, as Beijing denies the claims. President Donald Trump assured that President Xi Jinping has made assurances about China's neutrality.
As the conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel continues to ripple across the Middle East, reports that a Chinese company is set to supply Iran with hundreds of portable anti-air missile systems were reported by Reuters.
The outlet cited sources familiar with the matter, saying that Iran and Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment signed a deal worth $60 to $70 million for 300 to 400 shoulder-fired man-portable air defense systems, commonly known as MANPADS.
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The Hong Kong-based company was described as acting as an intermediary. The reported shipment would include Chinese-made FN-16 and QW-12 shoulder-launched missile systems.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and China have denied the weapons shipment (Image: Getty)
The claim has drawn a sharp reaction from President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly claimed that Xi assured him China would not arm Tehran. Earlier today, Trump stated that he would be "disappointed" if China supplied weapons to Iran.
"Well, that would be surprising," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "I mean, things like that happen, but that would be surprising. He (Xi) told me very strongly he wouldn't partake, and he knows I'd be quite disappointed."
According to Reuters' sources, the alleged weapon shipment would be routed first from Urumqi in China's Xinjiang region to Pakistan by air, before being transported to Iran, though it was unclear whether the final leg would be by road or aircraft. The sources said quantities, delivery timing, and other details could still change.
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China's Foreign Ministry rejected the report, calling it "completely groundless," Reuters said. Pakistan's military public relations wing also denied any role, calling the claim "absolutely concocted and false."
Ukrainians from the 208th Kherson Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade using the missile systems (Image: Getty)
Trump has previously said Xi gave him a categorical promise during a state visit to Beijing in May that China would not arm Iran. "Under any circumstances," Xi told him, according to Trump. The U.S. president reiterated the point in a Truth Social post on July 24, saying the assurance extended to Chinese companies, as well.
The reported deal would come amid continued instability linked to the Iran war, which has featured missile and drone attacks across the region and heightened concerns over energy supplies and shipping routes. Iran's missile program has long drawn on Chinese technology. Chinese-made weapons, including the C-802 anti-ship cruise missile and Iranian derivatives, have also been used by Tehran and transferred to proxy forces such as the Houthis in Yemen.
China has condemned strikes on Iran and urged negotiations, but has largely stayed on the sidelines militarily. Analysts say Beijing is unlikely to jeopardize broader U.S. ties, even as it balances its interests in Middle East energy, including being the top importer of Iranian oil, against the risk of higher prices and wider disruption.
It comes as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces resumed bombing operations against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iran on Wednesday.
CENTCOM said the strikes were launched in direct response to attempted IRGC attacks the previous day targeting American forces stationed across the Middle East. CENTCOM did not immediately release additional details about the targets or the expected duration of the operation.
An official who spoke to Fox News said the operation is still underway and involves what they described as a "very broad" range of targets, as tensions between Washington and Tehran flare following recent clashes across the region involving U.S. forces and Iran-aligned armed groups in Iraq.
Source: “AOL Breaking”
