China has delivered HQ-9B long-range air defense systems to Iran following the recent 12-day war with Israel, according to reports from the Telegram channel “Free Iran.”
The deal was reportedly brokered through an oil-for-weapons exchange, with Tehran paying for the advanced missile systems through crude oil shipments to Beijing.
The HQ-9B is a Chinese-made surface-to-air missile system capable of targeting aircraft, cruise missiles, helicopters, and even ballistic missiles. The system is based on Russia’s S-300 platform and represents a significant boost to Iran’s air defense capabilities.
The delivery came just days after Iran’s Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh visited China on June 26, underscoring growing military ties between the two nations in the wake of regional tensions.
