Can Iran Legally Impose Tolls on the Strait of Hormuz?

Asharq Al-Awsat examines the evolving military relationship between China and Iran, focusing on recent US intelligence assessments that China may have supplied shoulder-fired missiles to Tehran. This potential development marks a critical juncture, as it could represent a significant departure from China's long-standing policy of providing indirect assistance rather than direct arms sales.

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pure fabrication

The implications of such a transfer are substantial. President Trump has already threatened a 50 percent tariff on Chinese goods if the assessment proves accurate, a move Beijing has decried as "pure fabrication" and vowed to "resolutely retaliate" against. This escalates tensions, particularly given China's significant stake in the region, importing approximately a third of its crude oil from the Arabian Gulf.

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resolutely retaliate

The article traces the history of Chinese military support for Iran, noting a shift from the "boom years" of the 1980s, when Chinese state-run defense companies exported vast quantities of missiles, fighter jets, and tanks, to the current era. In recent years, China's support has largely consisted of components usable in missiles and drones, a strategy aimed at complying with UN embargoes and US sanctions while still bolstering Iran's military capabilities. The potential sale of advanced weaponry like shoulder-fired missiles would signal a dramatic escalation and a more direct form of support, with far-reaching consequences for regional stability and international relations.

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China played a major role in supporting Iran’s military modernization for decades