China is reportedly exporting thousands of tons of ammonium perchlorate — a crucial component in solid-fuel ballistic missiles — to Iran, enabling the production of approximately 800 ballistic missiles. Some of these missiles are expected to be transferred to Tehran-aligned militant groups, including the Houthis in Yemen. (Source: The Wall Street Journal, June 2025)
Earlier this year, Iran received over 1,000 tons of sodium perchlorate from China, a precursor to ammonium perchlorate, which alone could power around 260 missiles. This escalation raises alarm amid ongoing regional instability and international efforts to curb Iran’s missile capabilities.
In response, the U.S. government has imposed sanctions on 12 individuals and entities across Iran and China, accusing them of facilitating missile component transactions. Among them are Iran’s Pishgaman Tejarat Rafi Novin Co. and Hong Kong-based Lion Commodities Holdings Ltd., which allegedly handled key shipments.
China, for its part, has denied knowledge of any illicit exports and stated it enforces strict controls on dual-use technologies in compliance with both national and international law.
These developments unfold against the backdrop of heightened nuclear tensions between Iran and the United States. Tehran continues to expand its stockpile of enriched uranium and has repeatedly refused to discuss limitations on its ballistic missile program.
Analysts suggest that Iran’s missile initiative is part of a broader strategy to rearm regional proxies following significant losses from Israeli strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. Supplying missiles to the Houthis and Shia militias in Iraq is viewed as a means of rebuilding its influence.
Israeli intelligence has already targeted Iran’s missile infrastructure, reportedly destroying key equipment such as planetary mixers essential to producing solid-fuel propellants. Iran has since been working to rebuild these capacities, making Chinese-supplied chemicals vital to its efforts.
The handling and transport of such explosive materials remain hazardous. In April, an explosion at the Shahid Rajaee Port killed dozens. Iranian officials later confirmed the blast was linked to mishandled imports from China meant for missile production.
Despite international sanctions and diplomatic pressure, Iran’s ballistic missile program appears to be expanding — bolstered by Chinese support and regional ambitions.
