An Iranian cargo ship loaded with alleged missile components is sailing toward Iran from China. The vessel departed Chinese waters on Monday and is expected to arrive at the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas on March 26.
Newsweek reached out to China’s Foreign Ministry and the Iranian Mission to the United Nations via email for comment.
Why It Matters
The Jairan has been linked to Iran’s procurement of sodium perchlorate, a chemical used in solid rocket fuel, according to The Financial Times.
Iran’s reported transfer of missile propellant chemicals to its armed forces signals a possible military buildup. If China is assisting Tehran in acquiring these materials, tensions could escalate with the United States and its regional allies.
The map below illustrates the vessel’s most recent movements and when it is expected to arrive in Iran. It also marks Jairan‘s location as of publication time:
What To Know
In January, Newsweek reported that intelligence sources had suggested Iran is attempting to import 1,000 metric tons of the substance, which, if converted into ammonium perchlorate, could support the production of hundreds of midrange missiles.
The Jairan is one of two Iranian cargo ships named in these reports. The other is the Golbon, which completed a similar journey last month.
U.S. Sanctions
Tracking data confirms the ship’s departure from China and destination in Iran, underscoring ongoing concerns about Iran’s missile capabilities. This comes despite U.S. sanctions aimed at disrupting Tehran’s procurement networks. Both the Jairan and Golbon remain under U.S. Treasury Department sanctions for their ties to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), which has been accused of facilitating weapons proliferation.
China Backs Iran
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said after trilateral talks in Beijing on Friday that it urged the lifting of “illegal unilateral sanctions” on Iran over its nuclear program. The discussions involved senior officials from the foreign ministries of China, Russia and Iran.
Iran’s nuclear program has advanced significantly since President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), fueling concerns about potential weapons development. Tehran says that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
What People Are Saying
Negar Mortazavi, a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, told Newsweek: “Iran is under extreme economic pressure from Western sanctions and sees itself under serious military threats from Israel and potentially the U.S. So they are increasing relying on Eastern powers, China and Russia, even more than before.”
China’s Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu: “The relevant parties should be committed to eliminating the root causes of the current situation and abandon sanctions pressure and threats of force.”
What Happens Next
It remains unclear how Iran intends to utilize the shipment. If the materials are weaponized, it could escalate regional tensions and further strain Tehran’s relations with Western nations.
The situation also raises broader questions about the global enforcement of sanctions and the role of international actors in Iran’s military developments.
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