Trump threatens China with ‘big problems’ if they arm Iranian regime with air defense systems
President Donald Trump warned on Saturday that China would face “big problems” if it moves ahead with supplying air defense equipment to Tehran while the United States remains engaged in a conflict with Iran.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump said, “If China does that, China is gonna have big problems, OK?”
According to U.S. intelligence sources cited in reporting from CNN, China has allegedly been preparing to transfer shoulder-fired surface-to-air missile systems, known as MANPADS, to Tehran through intermediary channels over the coming weeks. The reported use of third parties is believed to be an effort to conceal the origin of the weapons shipment. MANPADS are portable, heat-seeking missiles designed to lock onto the infrared signature of an aircraft’s engine or exhaust. During the ongoing six-week conflict in Iran, these systems have reportedly posed a serious threat, including an incident in which one nearly struck an F/A-18 Super Hornet last week.
Trump also said that an American F-15 fighter jet was shot down by Iran on April 3 after being hit by a handheld, shoulder-fired heat-seeking missile.
China has strongly denied the allegations. Its embassy said claims that Beijing is preparing to arm Tehran with air defense systems are “entirely fabricated.” The embassy added that China “always abides by international law and its international obligations, and never provides weapons to any party to the conflict,” rejecting what it described as “speculative, misleading, and false information” about its role.
At the same time, China has faced accusations of providing intelligence assistance to Iran during the conflict. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that Iran, Russia, and China maintain close strategic ties. Speaking to MS Now, he said cooperation among the three countries continues, including in the military sphere.
About Post Author
