Iran has taken possession of Chinese surface-to-air missile batteries as Tehran rapidly moves to rebuild defensives destroyed by Israel during their recent 12-day conflict, sources have told Middle East Eye.

The deliveries of Chinese surface-to-air missile batteries occurred after a de-facto truce was struck between Iran and Israel on 24 June, an Arab official familiar with the intelligence told MEE.

Another Arab official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive intelligence, said that the US’s Arab allies were aware of Tehran’s efforts to “back up and reinforce” its air defences and that the White House had been informed of Iran’s progress.

The officials did not say how many surface-to-air missiles, or SAMs, Iran had received from China since the end of the fighting. However, one of the Arab officials said that Iran was paying for the SAMs with oil shipments.

  • geneva_convenience@lemmy.mlOP
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    20 hours ago

    Nobody really knows what Chinese tech can do because China does not participate in war.

    The only thing we really know is that the Pakistanj Chinese made fighter jets shot down a bunch of French Rafale jets when India attacked Pakistan. Though the Indian Rafale’s are fourth generation jets not 5th.

    If China sent their top end SAMs then I have no doubt it could shoot down F35’s. Though they probably didn’t do that.