Donald Trump appeared taken aback by a report that China is preparing to supply weapons to Iran, reacting with visible surprise when asked about the claim.
Beijing and Tehran have reached an agreement for China to send as many as 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air defense launchers to the Islamic Republic, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Such a shipment could help Iranian fighters better protect themselves from US aircraft, at a time when American forces maintain air superiority over Iran.
Trump has repeatedly said he discussed the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping, insisting the Chinese leader had “agreed not to send weapons to Iran.”
Over the weekend, the president also issued a warning to China, saying it would “be very bad for them” if Beijing moved forward with such support.
Still, the latest Reuters report seemed to catch Trump off guard.
“That would be surprising,” Trump said when asked about the report. “I mean, things like that happen.”
“He told me very strongly he wouldn’t partake, and he knows I’d be quite disappointed,” Trump added, referring to Xi.
President Donald Trump, shown above with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in May, was shocked to hear about a report indicating that China has approved arms sales to Iran
Chinese State media shows the launch of the QW-12 missile system intercepting a target during tests. Three sources told Reuters that a deal for China to send Iran 300 to 400 QW-12 and FN-16 shoulder-fired air defense systems has been signed
‘Well, that would be surprising,’ Trump responded to a question about the report. ‘I mean, things like that happen … He (Xi) told me very strongly he wouldn’t partake, and he knows I’d be quite disappointed’
But the Chinese Foreign Ministry flatly denied the reporting about the arms sale.
‘The relevant reports are completely groundless. China has consistently played a role in promoting peace and ending the conflict.’
The sources who spoke with Reuters cautioned that though the arms deal had been signed, details of the agreement, like delivery schedules and quantities, may still be changed.
They shared that under the agreement, shipments of the air defense systems will depart from the western Chinese city of Urumqi before traveling to Pakistan and then on to Iran.
‘Speculations of Pakistan being involved in supply of Air Defence weapons to Iran from China are absolutely concocted and false,’ Pakistan’s military media, ISPR, said in a statement.
The reported sale underscores Iran’s diminished capacity to defend itself from US forces and its reliance on US rivals.
Experts have warned that the shoulder-launch systems are more portable and difficult to target, as users can quickly go outside, open fire at their objective and return indoors.
Other Iranian air defense systems are more static and less maneuverable, making them easier targets for US troops.
Join the discussion
What should the US do if China secretly arms Iran despite promises to Trump?
Trump has said repeatedly that Xi has assured him that China would not supply Iran with arms
Chinese soldiers particiapte in a combat demonstration in Hong Kong on June 27
The QW-12 and FN-16 are infrared-guided missile defense systems made to engage low-flying crafts, like helicopters and drones.
The shipment will reportedly contain 300 to 400 of these systems.
Earlier in April, Trump remarked that China had sent Iran a ‘gift’ that was intercepted by US forces.
‘We caught a ship yesterday that had some things on it, which wasn’t very nice. A gift from China perhaps, I don’t know, but I was a little surprised,’ Trump said at the time.
Trump did not expound on what consequences, if any, China would face for the reported arms sale.
