China Denies Selling Missiles to Iran Amid Escalating Tensions in the Middle East

Tensions are at a high in the Middle East. Iran has stepped up retaliation in response to joint US-Israeli attacks, including drone and missile strikes. Meanwhile, on Monday, China's government media reported that US aircraft crashed and some naval vessels were damaged by Iranian missile strikes. Questions have been raised over the source of such missiles as to whether they came from China. However, China has categorically denied that it had any agreement to sell CM-302 supersonic anti-ship missiles to Tehran before the US-Israeli airstrikes. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said such reports and discussions of the agreement are part of a full disinformation campaign. He stressed that as a responsible major power, China always abides by its international obligations. China opposes malicious alliances and the dissemination of false information, and expects that all less than positive parties will choose to engage in significant naval operations, including near Iranian naval vessels.