Iran to Receive Up to 400 Shoulder-Fired Air-Defense Missiles From China as Fighting With US Pauses: Report

Iran is reportedly rearming during a pause in hostilities with the United States, expecting its first shipment of up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defense missiles within weeks.

The $60-70 million deal covers QW-12 and FN-16 MANPADS, brokered via Hong Kong-based Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing sources.

According to the report, China’s Foreign Ministry called the reports “completely groundless.”

The deal follows months of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian military sites.

Pakistan Denies Role as Delivery Route Emerges

The report also stated that shipments would route from Urumqi through Pakistan. In a statement to Reuters, Islamabad’s military called claims of its involvement “absolutely concocted and false.”

The pause in violent attacks coincides with separate diplomatic movement. Iran and Oman have reportedly worked out a new shipping arrangement for the Strait of Hormuz, as President Donald Trump has described talks on ending the broader conflict as “very friendly.”

Arms Deal Part of Broader China-Iran Alliance

The newly expected shipment is not the first one between China and Iran. The MANPADS, or Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems, purchase follows Iran’s February push to acquire China’s CM-302 supersonic anti-ship missiles, capable of striking targets up to 290 kilometers away. The five-month war began immediately after that.

Beijing’s deepening arms ties with Tehran come as the conflict in the Middle East has strained the two nations’ broader energy and infrastructure partnership.

The partnership extends beyond the warfare pact. Iran is reportedly accepting Chinese yuan for oil payments, which suggests a further deepened economic tilt toward Beijing.

Benzinga’s Take: Iran has long served as an important counterbalance to U.S. influence over Gulf oil supplies for Beijing. As a result, continued military support reflects a broader strategic partnership that extends beyond the missile deal itself.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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