WASHINGTON: China is helping Iran rebuild its ballistic missile programme at a time when joint operations by the United States and Israel are trying to weaken it, according to a special report by the Institute for the Study of War.
The combined force has targeted several elements of the Iranian ballistic missile program, including missile fuel and solid propellant motor production sites. China’s efforts to help Iran reconstitute could undermine the combined force efforts to degrade or destroy the supporting elements of the ballistic missile program.
The report, citing Western media including The Telegraph, said China has sent multiple shipments of missile fuel materials to Iran since the conflict began.
At least five shipments of sodium perchlorate, a key chemical used in solid missile fuel, have reportedly reached Iran from China. The vessels are linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line Group (IRISL), which is under US sanctions.
Maritime data shows four of the vessels are docked or floating near the port in Chabahar, Sistan and Baluchistan Province, and one of the vessels is docked or near Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan Province.
US and Israeli forces have targeted fuel production units, storage sites and missile manufacturing facilities in an effort to weaken Iran’s capabilities.
US intelligence assessments cited in the report suggest Iran is rapidly repairing damaged missile infrastructure. In some cases, underground bunkers and silos hit by strikes have been made operational again within hours.
However, some systems are still not working at full capacity due to coordination issues and pressure on Iranian forces.
The ISW noted that Iran’s missile programme includes both combat units and support systems, making it difficult to assess overall damage based on a single factor like launcher availability.
Agencies