Iran is set to receive a shipment of 300 to 400 man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) from China in the coming weeks, marking a significant boost to Tehran’s short-range air defense capabilities amid the ongoing conflict with the United States. The deal, valued between $60 million and $70 million, includes Chinese-made QW-12 and FN-16 missile launchers.
According to multiple sources, the contract was facilitated by Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment, a Hong Kong-based company reportedly acting as an intermediary between the Chinese supplier and Iran. The delivery of these weapons would represent one of Tehran’s most notable efforts to strengthen its air defenses during the six-month-long war, which began in February. The conflict has seen extensive aerial assaults by the US and Israel targeting Iran’s missile, drone, and air-defense sites, exposing vulnerabilities in Iran’s capacity to protect critical infrastructure.
China, however, has denied the reports, with its foreign ministry describing the claims as “completely groundless” and reaffirming that Beijing is committed to promoting peace and resolving the conflict. Similarly, Iran’s foreign ministry did not provide comment when approached for confirmation. Additionally, Pakistan’s military spokesperson refuted allegations that the delivery route would pass through Pakistani territory, dismissing such claims as “absolutely concocted and false.”
The deal has raised concerns in Washington, where President Donald Trump emphasized that the US would pause airstrikes against Iran but warned that full-scale war could resume if American demands are not met during negotiations. Iranian officials have publicly resisted US pressure, with internal debates continuing over whether diplomatic engagement or military confrontation is the preferable course.
In the broader regional context, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen are reportedly contemplating imposing transit fees on vessels sailing through the southern Red Sea’s Bab el-Mandeb Strait, mirroring Iran’s toll scheme in the Strait of Hormuz. This move would potentially extend Iran’s influence over critical maritime routes and global fuel supplies. The plan followed recent Houthi visits to Iran, including participation in the funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Beyond weapons transfers, China continues to maintain significant economic ties with Iran. Data show that China has sustained oil imports from Iran at roughly 1.6 million barrels per day since the war’s onset, providing Tehran with a steady revenue stream. Reports also suggest Beijing has supplied Iran with chemicals necessary for producing rocket fuel, further deepening the countries’ military cooperation amid heightened international scrutiny.
The unfolding developments illustrate the complex and multifaceted nature of Iran’s military and economic relations amid escalating tensions with the United States and regional allies, amid ongoing efforts to recalibrate a protracted and volatile conflict.