China vehemently rejects accusations of supplying weapons to Iran, calling it baseless slander. Tensions are increasing with Trump’s threat of 50 percent tariffs on Beijing.
China on Monday rejected as baseless smear claims that it is supplying or intends to supply weapons to Iran. She responded to several media reports referring to American intelligence sources, reports TASR according to the AFP agency.
US President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened Beijing with new tariffs of 50 percent if it provides military aid to Tehran.
Media reports on guns
CNN previously reported that US intelligence, according to three familiar sources, showed that China was preparing to deliver new air defense systems to Iran in the coming weeks. Over the weekend, The New York Times quoted unnamed US officials as saying that Beijing may have already sent a shipment of anti-tank missiles to Tehran.
China denied these reports and emphasized on Monday that it has “always taken a cautious and responsible approach” to the export of military goods based on its own strict regulations and international obligations. “We reject baseless slander or malicious association,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Kuo Jiaxun told a press briefing.
Relations between China and Iran
China is Iran’s key economic partner, from which it buys most of its oil. However, the two countries do not have an official military pact, and many analysts say Beijing sees relations with Tehran as largely transactional. China also has strong economic ties with other Gulf states and has criticized Iran’s attacks on those countries during the war.
A spokesman for China’s foreign ministry also said on Monday that China hoped the US and Iran would not renew the war and observe a temporary ceasefire, although their talks in Pakistan over the weekend failed to produce an agreement.
