Iran Bolsters Air Defenses With Chinese Missiles
Following the June 24 ceasefire, Tehran accelerates its military recovery with advanced Chinese surface-to-air missile systems, as oil-for-arms ties deepen between the two nations.
TwitterIn the wake of the recent conflict with Israel, Iran has swiftly moved to restore and enhance its air defense systems, now with critical assistance from China. According to sources familiar with regional intelligence, Tehran has taken delivery of new Chinese surface-to-air missile (SAM) batteries as part of an expedited effort to rebuild its defensive capabilities.
These transfers reportedly began shortly after a de facto ceasefire was established on June 24. Arab officials, speaking under condition of anonymity, revealed that U.S. allies in the region and the White House have been briefed on Iran’s renewed military posture.
The quantity of missile systems provided remains unclear, but one source confirmed the exchange was facilitated through shipments of Iranian crude oil - a resource China continues to import in large volumes despite ongoing U.S. sanctions.
China is currently the primary consumer of Iranian oil, with nearly 90% of Tehran’s exports reportedly headed to Beijing, often rerouted through intermediaries to mask their origin.
“The Iranians are extremely resourceful when it comes to circumventing trade restrictions,” one regional intelligence official noted.
While many the West observed a muted response from Beijing and Moscow during Israel’s military campaign, these new arms shipments suggest a longer-term alignment taking shape behind the scenes.
During the brief war, Israel’s air campaign achieved significant objectives, including the destruction of key Iranian missile infrastructure and the elimination of high-ranking figures within Iran’s defense and scientific community. Despite these setbacks, Iran maintained its capability to launch retaliatory ballistic strikes, hitting sensitive targets in Tel Aviv and Haifa before the ceasefire took effect.
Iran’s air defense arsenal includes a combination of Russian S-300 systems, legacy Chinese models, and domestically developed platforms like the Bavar-373 and Khordad series. The recent infusion of Chinese hardware could expand Iran’s ability to challenge Israeli and U.S. aircraft - even advanced stealth jets like the F-35.
Historically, China has supplied air defense systems to countries like Pakistan and Egypt. Iran previously obtained Chinese HY-2 Silkworm missiles during the 1980s and is believed to have acquired HQ-9 anti-aircraft systems in the 2010s.
