US intelligence indicates China preparing weapons shipment to Iran: CNN
· The Straits Times- US intelligence suggests China will send new air defence systems to Iran soon, possibly via third countries to hide their origin.
- Donald Trump warned China of "big problems" if it proceeds with the delivery of air defence systems to Iran.
- The US and Iran held high-level negotiations in Islamabad on April 11, seeking ways to end their six week-old war.
WASHINGTON - US intelligence indicates China is preparing to deliver new air defence systems to Iran within the next few weeks, CNN reported late on April 10, citing three people familiar with recent intelligence assessments.
The network said there are indications Beijing is working to route the shipments through third countries to mask their origin.
US President Donald Trump, speaking to a group of reporters on the afternoon of April 11, as he departed the White House to fly to Miami, said that “if China does that, China can have big problems.”
He did not elaborate.
The US State Department, the Chinese embassy in Washington and China’s foreign ministry did not respond to Reuters requests for comment earlier on April 11.
Beijing is preparing to transfer shoulder-fired anti-air missile systems known as MANPADs, CNN said, citing sources it did not name.
The US and Iran held high-level negotiations on April 11 in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, seeking ways to end their six week-old war. REUTERS