CNN reported that despite the reimposition of United Nations sanctions banning arms sales and missile-related activities with Iran, the Iranian regime is rebuilding its missile program with the help of China. European sources have reported several shipments of sodium perchlorate from China to the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas.
According to CNN, European intelligence sources said that several shipments of sodium perchlorate, the key ingredient in producing solid fuel for Iran’s medium-range missiles, have been sent from China to Bandar Abbas. These shipments began on September 29, coinciding with the activation of the UN “snapback” mechanism, and in total, they include two thousand tons of sodium perchlorate purchased by Iran from Chinese suppliers following the twelve-day war with Israel in June 2024.
Iran’s Regime Begins Rebuilding Destroyed Missile Production Facilities
Intelligence sources emphasized that these purchases are part of the Iranian regime’s effort to rebuild its depleted missile stockpiles. Several Chinese ships and companies involved in this process have previously been sanctioned by the United States.
On April 26, a powerful explosion occurred at Rajaee Port. Initial evidence and footage of the blast revealed similarities to the Beirut port explosion. These similarities led experts to conclude that the likely cause was the ignition of a shipment of chemicals used in missile production. However, regime officials immediately denied any connection between the explosion and missile fuel. Three months later, it was revealed that the shipment which caused the explosion belonged to a military institution.
Using maritime tracking data and social media accounts of ship crews, CNN traced the routes of several vessels transporting these materials from Chinese ports to Iran. These included ships traveling from Zhuhai, Gaolan, and Changjiangkou ports to Bandar Abbas. In some instances, the ships’ tracking systems were deliberately turned off to conceal their movements.
In response to CNN’s inquiry about these shipments, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said they were not aware of the details but added that Beijing enforces export controls on dual-use items in accordance with its international commitments and domestic regulations.
On September 24, satellite images analyzed by the Associated Press showed that the Iranian regime had begun rebuilding its missile production sites that were targeted during the twelve-day war with Israel.
However, experts interviewed by the Associated Press emphasized that rebuilding would not be possible without large industrial mixers used for producing solid missile fuel.
The so-called “planetary mixers” have blades that rotate around a central axis and are essential for uniformly blending solid fuel. In the past, Iran has purchased some components and materials related to missile fuel from China, and experts believe that the regime may once again resort to the same suppliers.
On June 22, shortly before the ceasefire announcement, Israel targeted a key Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) site located in the desert south of Shahroud in Semnan Province. This was the same facility used by the IRGC to produce solid missile fuel and where planetary mixers were installed. The site had also been targeted earlier by Israel in November 2024.
