Several accounts on X have claimed that 16 Chinese military cargo planes landed in Iran over the past 56 hours, describing it as the largest-ever military aid transfer from China to Tehran. However, there is no factual basis to support these assertions.
Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 shows no evidence of such aircraft movements. There is also no satellite imagery corroborating the claims, nor has any credible international news organisation reported on what would amount to a major and highly visible military operation.
Is China Helping Iran?
Security and intelligence experts note that an operation involving 16 military cargo planes could not go unnoticed. Such flights would be visible via satellite, trackable in real time, and immediately flagged by intelligence agencies and reported by global media outlets.
As a result, the claims circulating online appear to be fabricated. Observers describe the narrative as misinformation intended to fuel fears about China–Iran military cooperation that, based on available evidence, is not taking place.
China’s Calculated Response to US Pressure on Iran
China, widely regarded as Iran’s most significant economic and political partner, has in recent weeks drawn attention for its carefully calibrated public posture toward developments involving Tehran.
When US President Donald Trump warned that Iran would face “serious consequences” if protesters were killed, Beijing initially refrained from commenting. When it did respond, China reiterated long-standing positions, calling for calm, opposing external interference, and restating views it said it had “always” held.
Tariff Threat Triggers Shift in China’s Tone
That stance shifted after Trump announced an additional 25 percent tariff on countries continuing to defy Washington’s Iran policy. The measure was described as taking effect “definitively” and “immediately” and was widely seen as targeting China, Iran’s most important trading partner.
In response, Beijing said it would “resolutely defend its legitimate rights and interests,” reject foreign military intervention in Iran, and take action as necessary to protect Chinese citizens.
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Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
