Two Iranian cargo ships are reportedly on their way from China to Iran, carrying a key ingredient for missile fuel. This information comes from security officials in Western countries who shared their findings with the Financial Times.
The two ships, named Golbon and Jairan, are heading to Iran with over 1,000 tons of sodium perchlorate. This chemical is important for making ammonium perchlorate, which is a main part of solid missile propellant. Ammonium perchlorate is controlled internationally because it can be used in missile development.
Both ships already face U.S. sanctions, and if Chinese businesses were involved in this deal, they might also face U.S. penalties. The spokesperson for China, Mao Ning, said that China follows its export laws and international rules, adding that they oppose what they see as unfair sanctions.
The report mentions that the sodium perchlorate can produce enough ammonium perchlorate to fuel around 260 medium-range Iranian missiles. It is believed that these chemicals are being shipped to Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The Golbon left a Chinese port called Taicang, near Shanghai, and is expected to take about three weeks to reach Iran without stopping anywhere. The Jairan is scheduled to leave China next month.
Experts have commented that China has been helping Iran’s missile program for decades. They believe Iran has its own factories to produce ammonium perchlorate, but may still need supplies from outside.
If the missiles are meant to be used by Russia in the Ukraine war, this shipment could lead to further U.S. sanctions. In 2023, the U.S. imposed penalties on various people and companies in China, Hong Kong, and Iran for supporting Iran’s missile projects
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