Middle East Again Erupts in Airstrikes; Reuters Reports China to Sell Air Defense Missile Systems to Iran

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is aggressively expanding its military, with its nuclear arsenal expected to reach 1,500 warheads by 2035, approaching the scale of the U.S. and Russia. The United States is increasingly concerned about China's nuclear expansion. (Video screenshot)

[People News] The situation in the Middle East has escalated recently, with renewed airstrikes in the region. The U.S. military announced that it intercepted Iranian missiles and subsequently launched attacks in Iraq against pro-Iran militia groups in coordination with Saudi Arabia.

The U.S. Central Command (Centcom) reported that U.S. forces and Saudi armed forces conducted precision strikes in Iraq targeting multiple logistical and weapon facilities of pro-Iran terrorists, as a robust response to over 30 drone attacks directed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in the past 72 hours. They warned Iran and its allies to halt their attacks, or they would face further retaliation from the U.S.

Today (29th), Radio France Internationale cited exclusive information from Reuters indicating that the People's Republic of China is set to sell shoulder-fired air defense missile launchers to Iran within weeks, potentially totaling up to 400 units. On July 29, three sources familiar with the transaction disclosed that this procurement, valued between $60 million and $70 million, represents one of the largest known initiatives Tehran has undertaken to enhance its short-range air defense capabilities since the onset of conflict with the United States and Israel.

Reports indicate that a contract has been signed with Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment Co., Ltd., based in Hong Kong, which serves as an intermediary between Chinese suppliers and Iran. This contract involves the procurement of 300 to 400 units of China's QW-12 and FN-16 portable air defense missile systems, with the total transaction value estimated between 60 million and 70 million US dollars.

Media outlets have confirmed this information with Iranian sources; however, as of the 29th, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not responded to requests for comments. Additionally, Zhongqing Baoshang Group (中清寶商國際投資的母公司), located in Beijing, has not provided an immediate response to emails seeking clarification.

Insiders have revealed that, according to the plan agreed upon by all parties, the initial batch of deliveries will be airlifted from Urumqi in western China and subsequently transshipped to Iran via Pakistan. The Pakistan military's public relations department, ISPR, has firmly denied these claims, stating: 'Speculation regarding Pakistan's involvement in supplying air defense weapons from China to Iran is entirely fabricated.' The spokesperson for the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not responded to requests for comments.

Radio France Internationale reported, citing two Western intelligence sources and an Iranian official, that Tehran is considering options for transporting military equipment and dual-use components from China via land routes. This approach aims to facilitate more discreet transportation and minimize the risk of disruption during the process. Previously, Reuters had reported that Iran had approached China (the People's Republic of China) to negotiate another agreement for the procurement of anti-ship cruise missiles. However, it is still unclear whether this agreement has officially taken effect.

On April 15, 2026, U.S. President Trump announced that China had agreed not to supply weapons to Iran, claiming he received assurances from Xi Jinping. In an interview with Fox Business, Trump explained that he had written to Xi after hearing that 'China was providing weapons to Iran.' Trump stated, 'I wrote him a letter asking him not to do that, and he (Xi Jinping) replied that, in essence, they were not doing so.'

According to U.S. sources, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Xi Jinping is expected to visit Washington in September, where he may discuss artificial intelligence topics with Trump. It remains uncertain whether the two leaders will address the military weapons issue concerning Iran.
△