On June 15, Chinese cargo planes landed in Tehran after disabling their surveillance devices, fueling speculation that they were carrying weapons. The planes were carrying military supplies or limited goods, potentially bolstering Iran’s defense capabilities amid its standoff with Israel.
The secrecy surrounding the Chinese landings, including the planes’ transponders being turned off and their unannounced arrivals in Tehran, suggests coordination at the highest levels between the two countries.
Chinese cargo planes reportedly landed in Iran under mysterious circumstances, despite the fact that Iranian airspace is officially closed due to ongoing hostilities with Israel.
The planes reportedly turned off their transponders before entering Iranian airspace, making them invisible to radar.
The move suggests a covert mission to deliver military supplies, possibly after the regional conflict escalated. The secret flights come amid China’s strong public condemnation of Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, a recent spate of attacks on Iranian military facilities.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian expressed “deep concern” about the attacks and stressed Beijing’s opposition to violations of Iranian sovereignty and actions that could escalate the conflict.
“China is closely following the Israeli attacks on Iran and is deeply concerned about the potential serious consequences of the operation,” Jian said in a post on X. As tensions rose, the Chinese embassy in Tel Aviv issued an evacuation order for Chinese nationals, citing deteriorating security conditions and the closure of Israeli airspace.
The Chinese embassy suspended immediate departures by land to Jordan, warning of a “sharp increase in civilian casualties” and a “deteriorating security environment.”
China-Iran ties under scrutiny
The reported arms transfer underscores the deep strategic relationship between China and Iran. The two countries signed a 25-year cooperation agreement in 2021, covering energy, infrastructure and military technology.
China is Iran’s top trading partner and its largest buyer of oil, accounting for nearly 90% of Iranian crude oil exports, often through indirect channels to circumvent US sanctions.
Despite a decline in official arms sales since 2005, China continues to supply Iran with missile components, drone technology, and technical support.
Joint naval exercises with Russia further signal Beijing and Tehran’s alignment to create a multipolar world order that challenges Western dominance.
The fall of the Mullahs’ regime would be disastrous for the Chinese economy, which has lent Tehran billions of dollars and receives Iranian oil. Iran is also a key Silk Road region. China, not Russia, will attempt to disrupt Western plans for Iran.
