WASHINGTON
Last month, the F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet that was shot down over southwestern Iran, triggering a dangerous rescue mission, was likely hit by a Chinese-made man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS). Trump claimed it had been hit by a MANPADS. These weapons, approximately 2 meters long and weighing 18 kilograms, also known as man-portable air-defense systems or MANPADS, offer a cost-effective way to shoot down low-flying aircraft. In addition, China also provided Iran with a long-range, early warning, evasive radar capable of detecting stealth aircraft.
It is unclear when the Chinese military equipment was delivered. But Iran’s use of Chinese-made weapons complicates the United States’ relationship with Beijing at a time when President Trump has sought China’s help to end the conflict and the Trump administration negotiated a ceasefire with Iran ahead of a crucial meeting with President Xi Jinping earlier this month. As the top customer for Iranian oil exports, Chinese leaders have said the war must end. Negotiations to end the war are ongoing, even as the United States continues to launch what it calls “defensive” strikes.
The two-person crew of the F-15 successfully ejected from the aircraft over Iran. The first pilot was rescued within seven hours, but it took two days to locate and rescue the second weapons systems officer, who had hidden in the foothills of the Zagros Mountains, according to the Pentagon.
The White House cited the president’s statements in an interview with Fox News, in which he claimed that Xi Jinping had assured him that China would not provide military equipment to Iran, and his remarks to reporters at the White House last week, where he said: “President Xi has promised me that he will not send weapons to Iran. It’s an admirable promise. I believe him. I appreciate it.”
When asked about the downing of the F-15, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy stated: “China always acts prudently and responsibly in the export of military products and exercises strict control in accordance with its export control laws and regulations and its international obligations. China rejects unfounded slander and malicious associations.”
According to US intelligence reports, China was planning to provide new air defense weaponry to Iran in the coming weeks. Former national security officials indicated that US officials may have leaked the intelligence in a possible attempt to expose China’s plans, a tactic used by previous administrations. They also stated that it is unclear whether the man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) that likely downed the F-15 was recently delivered to Iran or if it came from weapons stockpiles sent to Iran years ago. It is also unclear whether the radar, known as the YLC-8B, was used during the war.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration accused China of allowing Iran access to Chinese satellites to help Tehran attack U.S. forces in the region. The State Department imposed sanctions on three Chinese satellite companies that it said provided imagery and data enabling Iran to launch attacks against U.S. forces in the Middle East. China denied the accusation.
