Beijing and Islamabad deny allegations surrounding reported air defence shipment
BEIJING: China on Thursday rejected media reports claiming that Iran was set to receive an initial shipment of Chinese-made shoulder-fired air defence missile launchers within weeks, describing the claims as false.
Speaking at a regular news briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning dismissed the report, stating that it was “not true and not factual at all.”
Mao said China has consistently explained its position on the issue and reiterated that Beijing remains committed to promoting peace and ending the conflict.
The report had claimed that Iran was expected to receive an initial batch of up to 400 air defence missile launchers as part of efforts to strengthen its air defence capabilities following recent hostilities with the United States.
Pakistan rejects transit allegations
Pakistan also denied claims that it would facilitate the shipment through its territory.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, categorically rejected reports suggesting Pakistan would serve as a transit route for the alleged delivery.
“All such speculations are baseless and devoid of truth,” the ISPR said, adding that the allegations were entirely unfounded.
The Pakistani military did not provide additional details beyond its rejection of the claims.
Report attributed to unnamed sources
The allegations were based on a Reuters report that cited unnamed sources claiming the missile systems would be flown from Urumqi in western China and transported through Pakistan before reaching Iran.
Neither Reuters nor the unnamed sources provided publicly available evidence confirming that such a shipment had taken place or was imminent.
China and Pakistan have both firmly denied the report, while Beijing reiterated its position that it supports efforts aimed at reducing regional tensions and resolving disputes through peaceful means.
No official statement has been issued by Iranian authorities regarding the reported shipment.
As of Thursday, there was no independent verification that any transfer of Chinese-made air defence systems to Iran had occurred, and the governments directly named in the report have publicly rejected the allegations.
