Key Points
- Iran Strikes Major Missile Fuel Deal: Iran has ordered thousands of tons of ammonium perchlorate from China, enough to produce up to 800 ballistic missiles.
- Missile Fuel to Arrive Soon: Shipments are expected in the coming months, with some material likely to be sent to Iran-backed groups like the Houthis.
- U.S. and Israel Alarmed: The deal comes as the U.S. and Israel intensify efforts to prevent Iran from advancing its nuclear and missile programs.
- Nuclear Talks at Impasse: The U.S. has offered a proposal allowing limited uranium enrichment for peaceful use, but Iran demands full sanctions relief and insists on its right to enrich uranium.
- Safety and Sanctions Concerns: Previous Chinese shipments have led to deadly accidents in Iran, and the U.S. has imposed new sanctions on related entities.
New Delhi: Amid rising global instability and fears of new conflicts, Iran is rapidly expanding its military capabilities with a major new deal for missile fuel from China. According to multiple reports, including The Wall Street Journal, Iran has placed an order for thousands of tons of ammonium perchlorate a critical chemical for solid-fuel ballistic missiles. This shipment could enable Iran to manufacture as many as 800 missiles, significantly boosting its arsenal at a time of heightened regional tensions.
Details of the Iran-China Missile Fuel Deal
The order was reportedly placed by the Iranian company Pishgaman Tejarat Rafi Novin Co. through Hong Kong-based Lion Commodities Holdings Ltd. The ammonium perchlorate shipments are expected to arrive in Iran over the next few months. While much of the material will be used to rebuild Iran’s missile production capacity damaged by Israeli airstrikes last October a portion is likely to be diverted to Iran’s regional proxies, including Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have launched missiles at Israel and targeted shipping in the Red Sea.
This deal underscores Iran’s determination to maintain and expand one of the Middle East’s largest ballistic missile programs, even as it faces international pressure to curb both its missile and nuclear activities.
U.S., Israel, and Sanctions Response
The United States has responded by imposing new sanctions on individuals and companies in Iran and China involved in missile propellant procurement, signaling ongoing concerns about Iran’s growing capabilities and its support for allied militias across the region. Israel, meanwhile, has reportedly assured the U.S. that it will not strike Iranian nuclear facilities unless diplomatic efforts fail, but continues to monitor Iran’s military buildup closely.
Nuclear Negotiations: Stalemate and Contradictions
Parallel to the missile deal, nuclear talks between Iran and the U.S. have reached a critical juncture. The Trump administration has floated a proposal that would allow Iran to continue limited uranium enrichment for peaceful purposes, such as nuclear energy and medicine, provided it shuts down its underground enrichment sites and submits to strict international monitoring. However, President Trump has publicly insisted that Iran should not be allowed any uranium enrichment, leading to mixed signals from Washington.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has rejected the U.S. offer, vowing to continue enrichment and demanding the complete lifting of all nuclear-related sanctions. The U.S. proposal also includes the idea of a regional consortium to handle enrichment for civilian purposes, but Iran remains skeptical and insists on its sovereign right to enrich uranium on its own soil.
Safety Risks and Regional Fallout
Iran’s rapid missile expansion is not without risks. A previous shipment of missile fuel from China was linked to a deadly explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port in southern Iran, killing dozens and injuring hundreds. Experts warn that Iran’s handling of hazardous materials poses significant safety hazards, and that the country’s defense industry lacks robust safety standards.
The Bigger Picture
Iran’s drive to rebuild its missile arsenal and its hardline stance in nuclear negotiations reflect a broader strategy to enhance its regional influence and deterrence, even as it faces mounting economic and diplomatic pressure from the West. The new missile fuel deal with China not only strengthens Iran’s military capabilities but also signals deeper ties between Tehran and Beijing, complicating efforts by the U.S. and its allies to contain Iran’s ambitions.
