According to Western intelligence sources, Iran has been importing large bons of sodium perchlorate from China. This exciting shift started on September 29th. It would be the second significant Iranian step toward replenishing its missile stockpiles after the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas. European intelligence agencies are tracking the shipments. This increase in scrutiny feeds into a fear about the state of Iran’s military capabilities continuing to develop, even under current international sanctions.
The shipments each hold approximately 2,000 tons of sodium perchlorate. The latter is the principal ingredient in the solid propellant used by mid-range conventional missiles. These materials are central to Iran’s objectives. Their objectives include restoring their military stockpiles and increasing their own missile production capacity.
Details of the Shipments
Since the short-lived Middle East war between Iran and Israel last month, deliveries of sodium perchlorate have greatly increased. Several of these cargo vessels have been used, including the MV Basht, which was recently sanctioned by the United States. Almost all of the providers are located in Dalian. This northeastern port city in China is known for its booming manufacturing and shipping industries.
European intelligence has confirmed that these shipments are part of Iran’s broader strategy to replace missiles lost during the conflict. Jeffrey Lewis, a prominent analyst on missile technology, highlighted the urgency of these shipments by stating, “Iran needs much more sodium perchlorate now to replace the missiles expended in the war and to increase production.”
According to Lewis, “Two thousand tons of sodium perchlorate are only enough for about 500 missiles. That’s a lot, but Iran was planning on producing something like 200 missiles a month before the war and now must replace all the missiles that either Israel destroyed or it used.”
International Response and Implications
China’s national government has been very vocal against reimposing sanctions on Iran. They claim that these measures are undermining diplomatic outreach, deployment, and effort to deal with the Iranian nuclear crisis. A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “We want to emphasize that China is committed to peacefully resolving the Iranian nuclear issue through political and diplomatic means and opposes sanctions and pressure.”
As experts point out, even if China knows, they probably know that their own exports are indirectly funding Iran’s missile program. Tong Zhao, a Chinese policy expert, noted, “Beijing may be aware that such exports indirectly support Iran’s missile program.” He pointed out that China views its actions as a matter of principle: “yet it may view this as a matter of principle – asserting China’s sovereign right to make independent export-control decisions on items not expressly banned by the UN.”
The export of sodium perchlorate is in compliance with the pre-Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) sanctions, thereby steering clear of any direct prohibitions. Such a move would allow China to avoid international condemnation, all while keeping Iran’s military aspirations afloat.
The Broader Context
The geopolitical implications of these shipments are enormous and cannot be overstated. Iran has been repeatedly replenishing its missile inventory. This dangerous proliferation not only severely undermines regional stability but makes international diplomatic efforts to rein in nuclear arms control much more complicated. Iran is making a concerted effort to rejuvenate its military capacity. In turn, India’s neighboring countries and global powers will surely react by drawing closer and becoming more wary.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed his nation’s commitment to non-proliferation, stating, “We attach importance to Iran’s repeated pledge that it does not seek to develop nuclear weapons.” This assertion is contradicted by actions taken by Chinese firms exporting arms-related goods to Iran.
Israel and the United States are right to be closely watching these developments. Industry analysts are forecasting a military readiness arms race on all four sides. According to Jeffrey Lewis, “I would expect large shipments to Iran as it tries to rearm, just as I would expect Israel and the US to race to replace the interceptors and munitions that were expended.”
