China's Secret Support for Iran Exposed Ahead of Xi-Trump Summit
China has been secretly supporting Iran militarily in its war against the US, despite Beijing's claims to be brokering peace. According to an investigation by the Wall Street Journal, China has sent thousands of shipments of dual-use components to Iran's defence ministry since January 2025, including GPS tracking equipment and aircraft-engine components.
These components can have military applications, such as in drone systems and missile guidance equipment. The WSJ found records of around 1,300 shipments through the end of June, with some arriving on the very day a temporary truce was signed between the US and Iran.
The relationship between China and Iran is not one-sided but rather symbiotic. China has become Iran's largest oil customer, providing Tehran with a major source of revenue despite US sanctions. Chinese front companies and financial networks have helped facilitate Iranian oil transactions and move money through China's financial system.
The Trump administration has been cautious about directly confronting Beijing over its assistance to Iran, with some senior officials downplaying the significance of these shipments. However, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth has blamed China for enabling Iran, a claim that President Trump rejected.