CNN: China may supply air defences to Iran, US intelligence says

US intelligence indicates China is preparing to deliver new air defence systems to Iran in the coming weeks, CNN reported, citing three people familiar with the assessments.

The report said Beijing may route shipments through third countries to conceal their origin.

The systems are expected to include shoulder-fired anti-air missiles, or MANPADS, which pose a threat to low-flying aircraft.

The report quoted a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington as saying that reports about China preparing to deliver new air defence systems to Iran within weeks were incorrect, adding that Beijing had not provided weapons to any party in the conflict.