China denies supplying MANPADS to Iran as documents suggest a QW-12 deal

China’s foreign ministry publicly rejected reports that it is providing portable air‑defence missile systems to Iran. Reuters had cited unnamed sources claiming an agreement for several hundred Chinese‑made MANPADS, such as the QW‑12 or FN‑16, valued at roughly $90 million.

German media obtained Iranian military documents that outline a plan to purchase 250 QW‑12 systems, each with two missiles, and to send Iranian technicians to China for training. The documents, dated March 2026, were described by Western intelligence as credible but unverified. No independent evidence confirms that any missiles have been delivered.

U.S. intelligence agencies have warned of a possible Chinese‑Iranian MANPADS transfer, and former President Donald Trump publicly cautioned China against such sales. The alleged deal remains a point of diplomatic tension ahead of upcoming high‑level meetings.