CNN reports US intelligence shows China preparing weapons shipment to Iran
China is preparing to send Iran new air defense systems in the coming weeks, according to U.S. intelligence cited by CNN late Friday, which quoted three people familiar with recent assessments.
Sunday April 12, 2026
China is preparing to send Iran new air defense systems in the coming weeks, according to U.S. intelligence cited by CNN late Friday, which quoted three people familiar with recent assessments.
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The network reported that intelligence also suggests Beijing may try to move the weapons through third countries to obscure their true origin.
U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters on Saturday afternoon as he left the White House for Miami, warned that “if China does that, China can have big problems.”
He offered no further details.
The U.S. State Department, the Chinese embassy in Washington and China’s foreign ministry did not respond earlier on Saturday to Reuters requests for comment.
CNN said Beijing is preparing to transfer shoulder-fired anti-air missile systems, known as MANPADs, citing unnamed sources.
The U.S. and Iran also held senior-level talks on Saturday in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, as both sides looked for a way to bring an end to their six-week-old war.
Reporting by Akanksha Khushi in Bengaluru and Jonathan Landay in Washington; Editing by William Mallard, Jan Harvey and Paul Simao