Reuters Report on China-Iran Missile Deal Rejected by Pakistan and China

ISLAMABAD / BEIJING - Both Pakistan and China have categorically rejected a Reuters report claiming that China supplied 400 QW-12 and FN-16 air defense systems, valued at approximately USD 60-70 million, to Iran through Pakistan .

Official Denials

Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that the claims of Pakistan facilitating the transfer of Chinese air defense weapons to Iran are "completely fabricated and baseless" . The military's media wing dismissed the report as unfounded speculation.

China's Foreign Ministry also rejected the report, with a spokesperson saying: "The relevant reports are completely groundless. China has consistently played a role in promoting peace and ending the conflict" .

The reported deal was said to have been signed between Iran and a Hong Kong-based company, Shenzhen Zhongqingbao International Investment, with plans to transfer the weapons from China's Urumqi through Pakistan to Iran .

Context of Rejection

The denials from both Pakistan and China come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts by both countries to mediate in the Iran-US conflict. China has consistently supported Pakistan's role as a mediator and has called for de-escalation in the region .

The Reuters report also highlighted that the conflict between Iran and the US-Israeli alliance has exposed defense gaps in Iran's military capabilities, with Iran reportedly seeking to rebuild its air defense systems . However, both Islamabad and Beijing have firmly rejected the allegations of their involvement in transferring such weapons to Tehran.