Missiles on display in Tehran last year. Photo: majid asgaripour/Reuters
| Published June 7, 2025
Tehran wants to bolster military capacity amid contentious nuclear talks with U.S.
Iran has reportedly ordered thousands of tons of ammonium perchlorate from China, a key component in solid rocket propellant, to bolster its ballistic missile capabilities amid ongoing nuclear negotiations with the U.S. The shipments, expected to arrive in the coming months, could produce up to 800 missiles and may partially be supplied to regional militia allies, including the Houthis in Yemen.
The procurement was made through an Iranian company, Pishgaman Tejarat Rafi Novin Co., from Hong Kong-based Lion Commodities Holdings Ltd. The U.S. has responded with sanctions on various Chinese and Iranian entities implicated in aiding Iran’s missile industry.
Iran’s effort to revamp its missile arsenal comes as it continues uranium enrichment and refuses to limit its missile program. Previous material mismanagement led to deadly explosions in Iranian ports. Despite sanctions and Israeli strikes that disrupted Iran’s missile production infrastructure, efforts to rebuild continue.
The situation adds complexity to nuclear discussions and signals Iran’s strategic intention to strengthen its regional military influence.
Trucks carry Iranian long-range missiles Fatah during the annual military parade marking the Iraqi invasion in 1980 in September.ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH/EPA-EFE / Shutterstock
Here are the key implications of Iran reportedly importing ballistic missile materials from China:
1. Increased Regional Tensions
Iran’s missile buildup could escalate tensions across the Middle East, especially with Israel, Saudi Arabia, and U.S. allies, who view such developments as direct threats to regional stability and security.
2. Strain on U.S.-China Relations
The involvement of Chinese firms in supplying missile-related materials to Iran may further strain already tense U.S.-China relations, potentially leading to expanded sanctions or diplomatic confrontations.
3. Complication of Nuclear Negotiations
This development undermines efforts to revive or renegotiate nuclear agreements with Iran. Western powers may view Iran’s missile expansion as a sign of bad faith, weakening diplomatic leverage and delaying talks.
4. Expanded Proxy Capabilities
By potentially sharing missile resources with regional militias (e.g., the Houthis), Iran could enhance the reach and firepower of its proxies, increasing the likelihood of indirect conflict and destabilization.
5. Challenges to Sanctions Enforcement
Iran’s ability to obtain dual-use materials despite existing sanctions highlights loopholes in international enforcement mechanisms and calls into question the effectiveness of current controls.
Overall Takeaway:
Iran’s reported procurement of missile materials from China reflects a deepening global concern over the proliferation of advanced weapons technology in volatile regions. It highlights the ongoing challenges in preventing the spread of military-grade components despite international sanctions and oversight mechanisms. This development also brings into focus the strategic calculations of both Iran and its partners, as well as the broader geopolitical implications for U.S.-China relations, Middle East stability, and the future of nuclear diplomacy. As tensions rise, the situation underscores the need for renewed international cooperation, clearer enforcement tools, and more robust dialogue to address evolving security risks.
SOURCES: THE WALL STREET JOURNAL – Iran Orders Material From China for Hundreds of Ballistic Missiles
THE TIMES OF ISRAEL – Iran orders materials from China that can make some 800 ballistic missiles – report
YNET NEWS – Powering Iran’s war machine: Chinese missile components fuel Islamic Republic’s ballistic arsenal
THE NEW YORK POST – Iran orders ballistic missile components from China — enough to fuel hundreds of explosives: report
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