China Prepares Air Defenses for Iran, Grants IRGC Satellite Access

3 articles · Updated · The Hans India · May 13

US intelligence cited in a Wednesday report says China is preparing to send new air-defense systems to Iran within weeks, including shoulder-fired MANPADS that could threaten low-flying US aircraft.
The report says Beijing is also helping Tehran with intelligence on US Gulf deployments and may route weapons shipments through third countries to hide their Chinese origin during the current ceasefire.
Chinese sensors, voltage converters and semiconductors have already been identified in Iranian drones, adding to concerns that dual-use technology transfers are expanding Iran's weapons capabilities.
The IRGC was also granted access to a Beijing-linked commercial satellite ground-station network that reportedly imaged Prince Sultan Air Base, Jordan's Muwaffaq Salti base, sites near the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and Erbil Airport.
The alleged support underscores China's effort to preserve Iran as a regional partner against US influence, even as Beijing tries to avoid damaging ties with Gulf states and ahead of a planned Trump-Xi summit.

As China and the US clash over Iran, could a diplomatic misstep ignite a wider global conflict?

With US influence questioned, is China becoming the new indispensable power broker in the volatile Middle East?