🔸China denies sending air-defense missiles to Iran

Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Thursday, July 30, at a press conference, said that reports in the media about China’s plan to deliver 400 man-portable air-defense (anti-aircraft) missiles to Iran are not true and are completely baseless.

Mao, referring to the fact that “China always strives to establish peace and put an end to conflicts,” said that Beijing has clarified its position on the matter on several occasions.

Two days ago, several media outlets claimed that Iran is expected to receive the first shipment within the coming few weeks, including 400 missile air-defense systems of the China-made man-portable type. The value of the deal was cited as between $60 million and $70 million.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, rejecting the report, stated: “The relevant reports are entirely baseless. China has always played an effective role in promoting peace and putting an end to conflicts.”

Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Defense, also said in response to a question about the deal at a routine press conference in Beijing that “he is not aware of the relevant situation.”