Middle East Eye reports that Iran has received a shipment of Chinese missiles

Chinese surface-to-air missiles and missile launch systems HQ-9B have arrived in Iran. This was reported in a report by Middle East Eye. The report quoted an Arab intelligence official as saying that Iran is looking to quickly rebuild its defenses destroyed by Israeli attacks in the 12-day war. The country has acquired surface-to-air missile systems from China for that purpose. According to the report, the shipment of HQ-9B missile systems was completed after the ceasefire between Iran and Israel on June 24. Another Arab official, who did not give his name, said that the US’s Arab allies are aware of Tehran’s efforts to strengthen its defenses and that the White House has also been informed. However, the Arab officials did not confirm exactly how many missiles and missile launch systems Iran has received. But an official said Iran is paying for the missiles and missile systems with oil. China is the largest importer of Iranian oil, and according to US administration data, about 90 percent of Iran’s fuel exports went to China in May. Middle East Eye said the missile supply is an indication of the growing military and strategic relationship between China and Iran. Although China and Russia have not provided direct military assistance to Iran in the unprecedented military aggression by the US and Israel. Iran has long been importing military equipment from China. In the late 1980s, the country obtained HY-2 Silkworm cruise missiles from China through North Korea. At that time, it was engaged in a war with Iraq. They also attacked Kuwait and a US-flagged oil tanker with these missiles. In 2010, Iran was reported to have received Chinese HQ-9 anti-aircraft missiles. Iran currently uses Russian S-300 missiles, which are capable of intercepting aircraft, drones and some ballistic missiles. Iran also has its own SAM systems, the Khordad series and Bavar-373. However, these missile systems are believed to have limited capabilities to intercept the US F-35 stealth fighter jets used by Israel. China has already sold its HY-9 and HQ-16 systems to Pakistan. Egypt also reportedly has HQ-9s. The HQ-9B has not yet been used in combat. However, it has been shown to be effective in destroying high-speed targets such as stealth fighters, cruise missiles and low-observable aircraft in Chinese military exercises.