Despite Trump's warning: China to transfer hundreds of MANPADS to Iran via Pakistan

Less than a week after US President Donald Trump warned China and Russia against transferring weapons to Iran, and claimed that both leaders promised him they would not do so, Reuters reported that Beijing will transfer 400 Chinese-made man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) to Tehran. Three sources familiar with the deal confirmed this is the first shipment of up to 400 units, aimed at rehabilitating Iran's air defense capabilities, which were severely damaged during the war with the US and Israel.

The deal is valued at $60–70 million. If the MANPADS reach Iran, they will bolster the Islamic Republic's short-range air defense, which struggled to protect strategic infrastructure during the conflict. The contract involves the purchase of QW-12 and FN-16 missiles through the Hong Kong-based firm Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment.

China's Foreign Ministry categorically denied the report: "The relevant reports are completely baseless. China has consistently played a role in promoting peace and ending the conflict." Iran's Foreign Ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

Previously, Trump stated on his Truth Social network that he had received assurances from both Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin that they would not sell or transfer weapons to Tehran. "If they were to do so, it would be very bad for them," the US President warned.

The plan involves transporting the arms by air from Urumqi in western China through Pakistan. The Pakistani army stated that "speculations that Pakistan is involved in supplying air defense weapons to Iran from China are fabricated and completely false." Despite these denials, sources insist that China and Iran are also exploring land routes to transport the dual-use equipment more discreetly.