United States intelligence assessments suggest that China is preparing to supply Iran with new air defense systems in the coming weeks, according to a report by CNN released late Friday.
The report cited three individuals familiar with recent intelligence findings.
According to the network, there are signs that Beijing may attempt to channel the deliveries through intermediary countries in an effort to conceal their origin.
Officials from the U.S. State Department, the White House, and the Chinese embassy in Washington had not provided immediate responses to requests for comment from Reuters.
The report further indicated that the systems expected to be transferred include shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, commonly referred to as MANPADs, citing unnamed sources.
Meanwhile, the United States and Iran are scheduled to engage in high-level talks on Saturday in Islamabad, aiming to find a resolution to their six-week-long conflict.
