Trump Warns of 'Big Trouble' for China Over Alleged Iran Missile Shipments

U.S. intelligence agencies have obtained information in recent weeks suggesting China may have provided Iran with Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems (MANPADS). The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 11th that it had acquired this information, and CNN, citing multiple sources, also reported the same day that there were signs China was attempting to transport MANPADS to Iran via a third country. As the possibility of China providing missiles to Iran was raised, U.S. President Donald Trump warned, "If China sends weapons, it will face big trouble." U.S. President Donald Trump had previously stated on April 6th that a U.S. F-15E fighter jet was hit by a 'shoulder-fired missile' over Iranian airspace.

Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the U.S., denied the reports on the 11th, stating they were untrue and that China has never provided weapons to either party in the conflict.

Some Chinese companies are known to have supplied chemicals, fuel, and other materials that could be used for war to Iran. Henrietta Levin, a senior researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), pointed out that China's strategic economic ties with Gulf countries are more important than those with Iran, suggesting no substantial benefit for China in supporting Iran.