China, Russia support Iran in air shipments of missiles: Israeli media

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) – China and Russia are allegedly supporting Iran in transporting air shipments that also include missiles, Israeli media claimed on Sunday.

According to Channel 14 Hebrew correspondent: “China, and Russia are assisting Iran in transporting air shipments that include missiles.”

The claim comes amid the ongoing conflict between Tehran and Tel Aviv, initiated by Israel early Friday by launching airstrikes across Iran.

There was no immediate response to the claim from the Chinese nor from the Russian side.

Both Beijing and Moscow have condemned Israel over attacks on Iran.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday extended full support to Iran in "safeguarding its national sovereignty and legitimate rights."

He stressed Beijing's "clear condemnation" of "Israel's violation of Iran's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.”

The Chinese top diplomat said the diplomatic means to solve Iran’s nuclear issue had “not yet exhausted.”

Notably, on June 06, the US sanctioned 10 individuals and 27 entities, which Washington said were tied to Iran’s financial network, including in Hong Kong.

“The regime leverages this network to evade sanctions and move money from its oil and petrochemical sales, which help the regime fund its nuclear and missile programs and support its terrorist proxies,” the US Treasury Department said.

The Hong Kong-based sanctioned firms are Hero Companion Limited, Plzcome Limited and Kinlere Trading Limited, among others, according to the daily South China Morning Post.

- Iran orders ‘ballistic-missile ingredients from China’

According to a report the US-based Wall Street Journal published on June 05: “Iran has ordered thousands of tons of ballistic-missile ingredients from China.”

Citing “people familiar with the transaction,” it claimed Tehran was seeking to “rebuild its military prowess as it discusses the future of its nuclear program with the US.”

It added the supposed shipments of ammonium perchlorate were “expected to reach Iran in coming months and could fuel hundreds of ballistic missiles.”

The US daily said the Iranian entity known as Pishgaman Tejarat Rafi Novin Co. had “ordered the missile ingredients in the past few months from Hong Kong-based Lion Commodities Holdings Ltd.”

- Russia also condemns 'unprovoked' Israeli attacks

Russia on Friday “strongly” condemned Israeli military strikes on Iranian territory, which it called “unprovoked military actions” against a sovereign UN member state.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the strikes undermined diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving concerns over Iran’s nuclear program.

Moscow called on Western states to reconsider their stance, accusing them of provoking “anti-Iranian hysteria” and adopting “destructive” policies through recent resolutions against Tehran.

Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on multiple sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, early Friday, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes within hours.

Iran said that 78 people were killed on the first day of the Israeli assault, and scores, including children, were killed on the second.

Israeli authorities said that at least 13 people were killed and more than 370 others injured in Iranian missile attacks since Friday.