Iran has acquired Chinese-made surface-to-air missile (SAM) batteries as part of a broader effort to rebuild and modernise its air defence network following its recent 12-day confrontation with Israel, according to regional intelligence sources cited on Monday.
The transfer reportedly occurred shortly after the ceasefire agreement on June 24, which ended a period of intense conflict in which Israeli forces targeted Iranian missile facilities and key military personnel.
An Arab official familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity due to its sensitivity, said the missile deal is part of Tehran’s strategy to strengthen its defensive capabilities. Iran is believed to be paying for the Chinese systems with shipments of crude oil, bypassing international sanctions through barter trade.
“The Iranians have become very resourceful in finding ways to trade,” the official noted, mentioning that intermediaries such as Malaysia have been used to obscure the true origin of Iranian oil.
Another Arab source confirmed that several US-aligned Arab states were informed about the delivery and that the Biden administration had also been briefed.
While it remains unclear exactly which SAM systems were transferred, China is known to export advanced models like the HQ-9 and HQ-16, both already operated by countries including Pakistan and Egypt.
China remains Iran’s main energy customer, with the US Energy Information Administration reporting in May that about 90% of Iranian oil exports now head to China despite ongoing Western sanctions.
This latest arms transfer reflects the deepening ties between Tehran and Beijing at a time when both face diplomatic and economic pressure from Western powers. It also marks a shift in Iran’s strategy to limit its exposure to Israeli aerial attacks after suffering significant losses during the recent hostilities.
Throughout the conflict, Israel maintained air superiority and struck numerous Iranian military sites, including ballistic missile launch pads and command centres. Yet Iran managed to retaliate with missile strikes that reportedly hit sensitive locations in Tel Aviv and Haifa.
Historically, Iran has sourced several air defence systems from China. During the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, it obtained Silkworm anti-ship missiles that were later used in the “tanker wars.” Reports in 2010 also suggested Tehran had acquired HQ-9 missile systems.
In addition to these Chinese weapons, Iran fields Russian-made S-300 systems and domestically developed platforms such as the Bavar-373 and Khordad series. Analysts, however, suggest these systems have limited effectiveness against advanced stealth aircraft like Israel’s US-supplied F-35s.
When approached, the White House declined to comment on the missile deliveries.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump are scheduled to meet on Monday, where Iran and its nuclear programme are expected to top the agenda.
