Caught on Flightradar: Did China secretly send weapons to Iran? 3 mysterious cargo planes spark global alarm

Only a day after Israel launched attacks on Iran, a Boeing 747 freighter plane departed from China, the following day, another left from a coastal Chinese city, and then on Monday, a third plane took off from Shanghai, raising concerns that China might be sending weapons to Iran, as per a report.
Chinese Flights That Disappeared
The three flights that flew in the three consecutive days, which were Boeing 747 freighters, are commonly employed to carry heavy-duty military equipment under government contracts, according to The Telegraph. All three flights took very similar paths, flying west over northern China, crossing into Kazakhstan, then curving south into Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, and then falling off the radar as it neared Iran, reported The Telegraph.
The concerns over what might have been sent from China in the direction of Iran increased as the flight plan indicated that each plane was bound for Luxembourg, but none of the planes were even spotted anywhere near Europe, according to The Telegraph report.
ALSO READ:
With heat advisory extended, Southern Californians urged to stay cool as outdoor areas are closed off
China-Iran Strategic Ties
A lecturer at the University of Exeter who specialises in China's relations with the Middle East and North Africa, Andrea Ghiselli pointed out that, 'These cargos cannot but generate a lot of interest because of the expectation that China might do something to help Iran,' quoted The Telegraph.
Live Events
The doubts arise as China and Iran are strategic partners, who are aligned in their opposition to the US-led world order, and in favour of a new 'multi-polar' phase in global diplomacy, as per the report. While, Iran is also one of China's main energy suppliers, as it sends about two million barrels of oil a day, which might have led Beijing to find ways to support and stabilise the Islamic Republic, according to The Telegraph.
Ghiselli explained that, 'The collapse of the current regime would be a significant blow and would generate a lot of instability in the Middle East, ultimately undermining Chinese economic and energy interests,' as quoted in the report. He added that, 'Moreover, in Iran there are probably many that are expecting some kind of help from China,' quoted The Telegraph.
The Big Unknown
However, it is not possible to know exactly what the cargo planes were carrying unless an independent inspections is done, according to the report. While some of the aircraft which flew later appear to take off from around the same area along the Turkmenistan-Iran border, and go toward Luxembourg, The Telegraph reported, citing publicly available flight data.
FAQs
Why are these flights raising concerns?
Because they vanished from radar near Iran, used large cargo planes suited for military transport, and claimed destinations (Luxembourg) that they reportedly never reached.
What kind of aircraft were involved?
All three were Boeing 747 freighters, often used in transporting military-grade cargo and government shipments.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Hindustan Times

43 minutes ago

• Hindustan Times

Donald Trump hints at Israel-Iran ceasefire, warns Iran has ‘maximum' two weeks

President Donald Trump on Friday indicated he may support a ceasefire in the ongoing aerial conflict between Israel and Iran, now in its second week, but said it would depend on how events unfold. US President Donald Trump expressed doubt over Europe's ability to mediate the ongoing Israel Iran conflict.(Bloomberg) Asked by reporters if he would back a truce while diplomatic talks continue, Trump replied, "I might, depending on the circumstances." He also warned that Iran has a limited timeframe to avoid possible U.S. military action. "I'm giving them a period of time, and I would say two weeks would be the maximum," Trump said, hinting that a decision could come sooner. Trump expressed doubt over Europe's ability to mediate the conflict. "Iran doesn't want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us. Europe is not going to be able to help in this one," he said. On the same day, Iran's foreign minister held talks with British, French, German, and EU counterparts in Geneva to discuss restarting diplomatic efforts on its nuclear program. European leaders urged Tehran to engage directly with Washington, but the discussions ended without a breakthrough. When asked whether U.S. ground troops would be required if conflict escalates, Trump said, "Well, I'm not going to talk about ground forces, because the last thing you want to do is ground forces." The Israel-Iran air war began on June 13, when Israel launched strikes on Iranian territory, claiming the goal was to stop Iran from advancing its nuclear weapons capability. Israel, which is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Iran, which insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, is a member of the NPT and responded with retaliatory strikes. According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, Israel's attacks have killed 639 people in Iran. Meanwhile, Israel has reported 24 civilian deaths from Iranian strikes. Trump and the White House have said a decision on US involvement in the conflict will be made within two weeks. So far, Trump's stance has ranged from promoting a diplomatic resolution to signalling potential military support for Israel, leaving global observers uncertain about the US course of action. Europe joins Tehran talks as two-week clock ticks President Donald Trump on Friday dismissed the prospects of European diplomacy resolving the Israel-Iran conflict, reiterating that Iran is uninterested in engaging with European leaders. "Iran doesn't want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us. Europe is not going to be able to help in this," Trump said upon arriving in Morristown, New Jersey. He also played down the possibility of urging Israel to pause its military actions, responding to Iran's demand that Israel cease its strikes before Tehran resumes dialogue with Washington. When asked if he would press Israel to halt attacks, Trump said it was "very hard to make that request right now," adding, "If somebody's winning, it's a little bit harder to do than if somebody's losing, but we're ready, willing and able, and we've been speaking to Iran, and we'll see what happens." Addressing the timeline for a potential US military response, Trump said, "I'm giving them a period of time, and I would say two weeks would be the maximum," explaining that the goal was to "see whether or not people come to their senses." A day earlier, Trump had said he would "make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks" because of a "substantial chance of negotiations" with Iran. That statement was interpreted as opening a short diplomatic window, prompting European leaders to meet with Iran's foreign minister in Geneva. However, Trump said the discussions "didn't help," and his latest remarks suggest he may act sooner if there's no progress on Iran's nuclear programme. (With inputs from agencies)

Time of India

44 minutes ago

• Time of India

ICICI sought to acquire HDFC, reveals chairman Deepak Parekh

Former HDFC chairman Deepak Parekh and ICICI Bank chief Chanda Kochhar MUMBAI: Former HDFC chairman Deepak Parekh, in a candid disclosure, said that then ICICI Bank chief Chanda Kochhar had proposed a merger between the two lenders - well before HDFC's eventual reverse merger with its banking subsidiary. During an interaction with Kochhar on her channel, Parekh said: "I remember you talking to me once. I remember it very clearly. It's never been talked about in public, but I'm willing to share it now. You said that ICICI started HDFC. 'Why don't you come back home?' That was your offer." Parekh said he declined the offer, saying "it won't be fair" or "proper with our name and the bank and all". Parekh said the eventual merger with HDFC Bank, completed in July 2023, was driven mainly by regulatory pressure. RBI had classified NBFCs like HDFC, then holding assets over Rs 5 lakh crore, as systemically important, breaching the Rs 50,000-crore threshold. "RBI supported us and they pushed us into it to some extent and they helped us," he said. However, he added that there were "no concessions, no relief, no time, nothing". Describing the day the merger concluded, Parekh called it "a sad day and a happy day". He said, "It's good for the institution. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 180k traders turn to IC Markets for optimum CFD trading conditions IC Markets Sign Up Undo It's good for the country to have large banks. Look at how large Chinese banks are. We have to be bigger, larger in India." Parekh believes that Indian banks must grow through acquisitions to become stronger in future. On broader economic concerns, Parekh cited persistent uncertainty in supply chains, trade policy, and export conditions as top CEO concerns. Calling insurance the "least understood product", Parekh criticised "mis-selling by banks" driven by high upfront commissions. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now

NDTV

an hour ago

• NDTV

Trump Says He May Support Israel-Iran Ceasefire "Depending On Circumstances"

Washington: President Donald Trump said on Friday he might support a ceasefire in the week-old aerial conflict between U.S. ally Israel and its regional rival Iran "depending on the circumstances". Asked by reporters if he would support a ceasefire while negotiations are ongoing, Trump said: "I might, depending on the circumstances". Europe would not be able to help much in the war between Iran and Israel, Trump added. "Iran doesn't want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us. Europe is not going to be able to help in this one," Trump said. Iran's foreign minister met with European counterparts in Geneva on Friday for talks aimed at establishing a path back to diplomacy over Iran's nuclear program. European foreign ministers urged Iran to engage with Washington over its nuclear program, but the talks ended with few signs of progress. "Well, I'm not going to talk about ground forces, because the last thing you want to do is ground forces," Trump said, when asked if ground forces would be needed to defeat Iran. The air war began on June 13 when Israel attacked Iran and has raised alarms in a region that has been on edge since the start of Israel's war in Gaza in October 2023. Trump and the White House say he will decide in the next two weeks whether the U.S. will get involved in the Israel-Iran war. Trump has kept the world guessing on his plans, veering from proposing a swift diplomatic solution to suggesting Washington might join the fighting on Israel's side. Israel is the only country in the Middle East widely believed to have nuclear weapons, and said it struck Iran to prevent Tehran from developing its own nuclear weapons. Iran, which says its nuclear program is peaceful, has retaliated with its own strikes on Israel. Iran is a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, while Israel is not. Israel's strikes have killed 639 people in Iran, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency. Israel says Iranian attacks have killed 24 civilians in Israel.