Is Iran getting Chinese shoulder-launched missile systems? Here’s what China says

On Wednesday, It was reported by Reuters that Iran is expected to receive a first shipment out of up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fire-defence missile launchers within weeks, especially at a time when Tehran is heavily involved in conflict with the United States in the Middle East.

The purpose of the deal, which is valued at $60-$70 million, is to rebuild its defences amid the US.

However, China on Thursday responded to this media report and denied the report of planned missile launcher shipment to Iran.

According to a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning clarified in a briefing that Beijing has always made “its position clear on relevant issues on multiple occasions.”

"The reports are not true and not factual at all," she said, emphasizing that China "always works for peace and the end of the conflict."

Pakistan also strongly denied these reports claiming that Islamabad would facilitate the transit of Chinese air defense systems to Iran. The report alleged the deliveries would fly from western China and transit through Pakistan, though sources could not confirm whether the transit would occur by air or road.

In response, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan's military, dismissed the claims, calling all such speculations "baseless and devoid of truth."

The announcement comes after the conflict between the US and Iran has escalated with the resumption of military strikes. Even the other Gulf countries such as Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have been caught in this war.