China started delivering 5 HQ-9B batteries, 16 HQ-16 batteries, 24 HQ-7 batteries, 1000 shoulder-fired FN-6, 150 C-802 anti-ship missiles, and digging equipment, along with ballistic missile launchers, through the CPEC corridor and Y-20 transport aircraft to Iran, valued at $8 billion in gold bullion, according to a PLA insider who informed Global Defense Corp.
According to a video circulated by Iranian netizens, the People’s Liberation Army’s Y-20 transport aircraft carrying a large weapons shipment landed in Tehran for the third consecutive flight, confirming delivery of weapons to Iran.
Iran signed a barter trading system with China. In this instance, Iran cannot supply China with oil, but $8 billion of gold as currency to acquire weapons from China.
China previously delivered $5 billion worth of 50 CM-302 anti-ship missiles, the Islamic Republic received Chinese 6 HQ-16B surface-to-air missile systems, 1200 FN-6 MANPADS, 300 Sunflower-200 kamikaze drones, 3 HQ-9B anti-ballistic systems, 6 HQ-7AE, 4 YLC-9B radars, 3 Type 305A radars, 6 SLC-2 counter-battery radars, and 50 HQ-19 anti-satellite interceptor missiles, Reuters said.
Iran has lost a significant portion of its Chinese-made missile stockpiles on the first day of U.S./Israeli air strikes.
US intelligence indicates China is preparing to deliver air defense systems to Iran in the coming weeks, CNN reported on Saturday, citing sources familiar with the assessments.
The report said Beijing was preparing to transfer shoulder-fired air defense systems and was working to route shipments through Pakistan’s CPEC corridor to conceal their origin.
Chinese weapons to Iran
As of April 2026, U.S. intelligence reports indicate China is strengthening Iran’s missile capabilities by providing components for launchers and fuel rather than assembled ballistic missile launchers. These materials, including dual-use industrial parts and chemical fuel, are crucial to Iran’s production of solid-fueled missiles such as the Fateh-110 and Zolfaghar.
China is reported to be supplying key chemicals, such as ammonium perchlorate, used for solid rocket fuel.
Reports highlight the transfer of machinery, electronics, and subsystems necessary for Iran’s missile-launch infrastructure.
Chinese BeiDou satellite technology is reportedly used to enhance the navigation and accuracy of Iranian ballistic missiles.
These shipments are allegedly, at times, routed through Pakistan’s CPEC corridor to conceal their origin.
Since the U.S./Israeli bombing has destroyed most of Iran’s tunnels and missile cities. Most of Iran’s ballistic missiles, drones and anti-air missiles are buried deep in underground tunnels.
China has agreed to assist Iran with major tunnel boring machines (TBMs), offering customised rock drills, hydraulic breakers, engineering assistance and TBMs tailored to diverse Iranian geological conditions, as well as mining equipment, often utilised in complex underground projects.
Chinese companies Sinovo and Zhejiang Blurbly, along with Xinxiang Yuji, have offered smaller mining machines and hydraulic pile breakers for Iran’s missile cities, along with specialised variable drilling configurations, hole depths, and rod lengths for specialised excavation needs as American GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs buried Iranian missiles, and enriched uranium into underground tunnels in Isfahan, Fordow and Natanz.
China has offered machine tools to Iran, particularly computer numerical control (CNC) lathes, which are playing a critical role in supporting Russia’s missile production, with over $10 billion in machinery and components delivered by China. These tools enable high-precision manufacturing for warheads and propulsion systems, specifically assisting in the production of Russian Iskander-M and Oreshnik missiles.
Reports indicate that Chinese equipment is used at major Russian missile factories, including the Votkinsk machine-building plant.
Since 2022, China has supplied roughly $3.1 billion in CNC machines alone to Russia.
Chinese CNC lathes and machining centers are crucial for producing missile bodies, engine components, and warhead assemblies that require high precision and repeatability.
These imports are vital for Iran’s defense industry, particularly in upgrading older factory infrastructure and increasing the output of advanced weapons systems. While Western countries have placed restrictions on these dual-use technologies, China has not participated in these sanctions, and Chinese officials have expressed opposition to such restrictions.
50 percent tariffs on China
As of April 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose immediate 50% tariffs on all goods imported from any nation supplying military weapons to Iran. This punitive measure, aimed particularly at curbing alleged supplies from China and Russia, includes no exceptions.
The policy directly targets nations aiding in the replenishment of Iranian weapon arsenals, with intelligence pointing toward potential anti-aircraft weapon deliveries from China.
Trump announced via Truth Social that the 50% tariffs would be effective immediately on “any and all” goods from such countries, with no exemptions.
The threat follows a two-week ceasefire with Iran, with the U.S. acting to cut off weapon supplies to Tehran.
The tariffs are designed to prevent countries from supporting Iran during ongoing Middle East tensions.
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