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Economic Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Caught on Flightradar: Did China secretly send weapons to Iran? 3 mysterious cargo planes spark global alarm
Boeing 747 freighters flew from China towards Iran, but flights disappeared from radar near Iran. The planes were reportedly carrying heavy cargo; however, it is not confirmed. The planes were headed towards Luxembourg, but they never reached Europe. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Chinese Flights That Disappeared China-Iran Strategic Ties Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Big Unknown FAQs 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 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 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 READ: With heat advisory extended, Southern Californians urged to stay cool as outdoor areas are closed off 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 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 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 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 they vanished from radar near Iran, used large cargo planes suited for military transport, and claimed destinations (Luxembourg) that they reportedly never three were Boeing 747 freighters, often used in transporting military-grade cargo and government shipments.
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First Post
a day ago
- Business
- First Post
Is China secretly helping Iran in battle against Israel?
As the conflict in West Asia continues, three Boeing 747 cargo planes departed from China to Iran over the past few days. Some are concerned that these planes, which are often used to transport heavy-duty military equipment, could contain weapons that Iran could deploy against Israel. Why would Beijing help Tehran? read more Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday said China was 'deeply worried' about the conflict in West Asia. Reuters Is China helping Iran secretly in its conflict against Israel? There are reports that, as the battle between Israel and Iran raged over the past few days, China sent three mystery cargo planes to Tehran. Some are concerned that these planes contain weapons that Iran could deploy against Israel . But what happened? What do we know? And why would China help Iran? What happened? What do we know? Three planes from China, all Boeing 747s , departed for Iran in three consecutive days. The first one left on Saturday, a day after Israel launched its first attacks on Iran. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Read Israel Iran conflict live updates The second departed for Iran on Sunday and the third left for Iran on Monday. These types of Boeing 747s are often used to transport heavy-duty military equipment. All three planes charted the same flight path – heading west along northern China into Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. The planes then dropped off the radar near Iran. Though all three flights showed Luxembourg as their final destination, the aircraft never went near Europe. The type of planes and the flight patterns have led many to think that China is coming to Iran's aid. As Andrea Ghiselli, a lecturer at the University of Exeter who specialises in China's relations with the Middle East and North Africa, told The Guardian, 'These cargos cannot but generate a lot of interest because of the expectation that China might do something to help Iran.' Why would China help Iran? This is because China and Iran are strategic partners and aligned against the US-led western order. Iran also supplies much of the energy China uses – around two million barrels of oil every day. In fact, Iran sends over 90 per cent of its oil exports to China. Beijing's refining sector is said to be incredibly dependent on cheap oil from Tehran. Tehran, which is facing an oil ban from the West, is forced to sell its crude oil under the radar. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It does this via a ''dark fleet' of tankers that keep their transponders turned off. Much of Iran's oil is bought by tiny Chinese 'teapot' refineries in the Shandong region. These small refineries have been buying this oil since 2022 to protect their razor-thin margins. A gas flare on an oil production platform is seen alongside an Iranian flag. Reuters Iran also sells this price at a discount of around $2 per barrel. That gap in the past was as high as $11 in 2023 and $4 in 2024. China also pays for the oil in yuan rather than in dollars – which makes Iran in turn spend money on Chinese goods. An Iranian official described this relationship as 'a colonial trap.' An Israeli attack on Kharg Island, where most of Iran's crude is loaded onto tankers, would completely cut off China from this cheap oil. While Saudi Arabia and the UAE could eventually replace up to 80 per cent of Iran's output, the pain in China would be immediate. Though Iran's crude refineries have not yet been targeted, the price of oil has spiked since Israel launched its airstrikes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD '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. Moreover, in Iran, there are probably many who are expecting some kind of help from China,' Ghiselli added. The isn't the first time Beijing would have helped Tehran. China previously provided Iran with thousands of tonnes of ballistic missile materials. President Xi Jinping on Tuesday said China was 'deeply worried' about the conflict in West Asia. Xi, speaking on the sidelines of a summit in the Kazakh capital of Astana, added, 'All parties should work to de-escalate the conflict as soon as possible and prevent the situation from worsening further.' Experts think though the chances of China sending Iran weapons remains low, they are not nil. The situation should be monitored closely, they add. The developments come in the backdrop of US President Donald Trump – who had demanded an unconditional surrender from Iran – reportedly greenlighting plans to attack Iran. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'You don't know that I'm going to even do it,' Trump said. 'I may do it, I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do. I can tell you this, that Iran's got a lot of trouble, and they want to negotiate.' Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday said his country would 'never surrender'. 'Let the Americans know that the Iranian nation is not one to surrender, and any military intervention on their part will undoubtedly result in irreparable damage,' Khamenei said. 'Those who are wise and familiar with Iran, its people, and its history never speak to this nation in the language of threats.' With inputs from agencies
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
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.
CNA
2 days ago
- Politics
- CNA
Energy, investments, geopolitics: Why China's Israel-Iran mediation push is about more than peace
BEIJING/SINGAPORE: China is positioning itself as a mediator in the intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran - but analysts say its diplomatic overtures are as much about shielding national interests as they are about regional peace. While Beijing publicly calls for calm, analysts say factors like energy dependence, strategic ties with Iran, geopolitical rivalry with the United States, and fears of a wider conflict that could undermine its investment and infrastructure footprint, underpin its push for peace. But despite its deepening economic ties with Tehran and the broader Middle East, observers say China's limited influence over the key players, particularly Israel, makes meaningful intervention an uphill task. They add that even as Beijing publicly backs Tehran, it is unlikely to risk wading into the conflict to tilt the balance in Iran's favour. Doing so would risk escalating tensions with the United States and undermining China's carefully calibrated position as a neutral actor in the region. 'China would be drawn into a regional conflict with global repercussions, which is surely something Beijing has no appetite for,' said Andrea Ghiselli, a lecturer in international politics at the University of Exeter. 'This is a very difficult position for Chinese diplomacy.' Craig Singleton, senior China fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a non-partisan US think tank focused on foreign policy and national security issues, said it reveals a larger problem for Beijing. 'Today's crisis and China's seeming inability to have any influence on its outcome spotlights the gap between Beijing's great power rhetoric and its limited reach in the Middle East.' PLAYING PEACEMAKER - OR NOT? The conflict erupted on Friday (Jun 13) when Israel launched surprise attacks on targets across Iran. Described by Israel as necessary 'preemptive' strikes to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, the salvo sparked swift retaliation from Tehran, which has consistently denied seeking nuclear arms. Attacks have continued back and forth since then. More than 200 people have been killed, most of them civilians. China has joined a growing chorus of international calls for restraint as fears grow that the region could be on the cusp of a broader conflagration. Foreign Minister Wang Yi held phone calls with his Israeli and Iranian counterparts on Jun 14. He told both men that China was willing to play "a constructive role" in de-escalating the conflict, reported China's foreign ministry. Chinese President Xi Jinping repeated the refrain in comments reported by state news agency Xinhua on Tuesday, calling for urgent de-escalation. He added that China 'stands ready to work with all parties to play a constructive role in restoring peace and stability in the Middle East'. Some reports have focused on the possibility of China playing mediator. The country has in recent years actively positioned itself as a global peacemaker, distinct from US influence. 'China is a neutral party, and can play a very important mediating role,' Wang Huiyao, founder and president of the Chinese think tank Center for China and Globalization (CCG), told CNA, highlighting China's 'good' track record in the Middle East and lack of 'historical baggage'. Beijing brokered a Palestinian unity deal in war-torn Gaza in July 2024. The year before, it brokered a historic reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, mediating the rapprochement alongside Iraq and Oman without direct involvement from the US or Europe. The latest outreach follows a familiar pattern in Chinese diplomacy, where Beijing seeks to project calm and offer mediation without committing to direct intervention. In past conflicts, including in Syria and Yemen, China issued similar calls but played only a limited follow-up role. But most of the other analysts CNA spoke to believe China doesn't have sufficient leverage to meaningfully mediate the Israel-Iran conflict. In particular, it wields 'practically no influence' with Israel, said Jonathan Fulton, a non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Middle East Programs. He told CNA that China's stance on the Israel-Palestinian conflict since Oct 7, 2023 - when Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel - has significantly eroded its diplomatic credibility with Tel Aviv, leaving Beijing with 'very little leverage' in Israeli eyes. 'China's always been very clear that it supports the Palestinians, and in this case, it was very overt. I think the Israelis have come to realise that China doesn't offer any kind of support for them in this situation.' Ghiselli from the University of Exeter described the Israel-Iran conflict as a war they have 'prepared for decades'. 'True or not, they think they are fighting for their survival. Nothing else matters. Moreover, neither of them is dependent on China in a way that would allow Beijing to force them to stop,' said Ghiselli, who is also head of research for the China-Mediterranean project at the University of Turin. 'China is not like the US, which could just stop the Israeli war machine by withdrawing its support.' Sun Degang, professor of political science at Fudan University and director of its Center for Middle Eastern Studies, similarly noted that Beijing's mediation efforts hinge on political will from both sides to engage - something that seems to be lacking. 'I don't think Israel is ready to accept China's mediation,' he told CNA. 'It wants to destroy Iranian nuclear facilities and implement regime change in Iran.' FDD's Singleton said China lacks the trust, intelligence channels, and 'coercive sticks' to influence Israeli or Iranian war planning. 'At best, it can pass messages; it almost certainly cannot broker terms or enforce compliance,' he said, adding that ceasefire mediation only works when both parties want it. 'Right now they don't.' FACTORS SHAPING BEIJING'S POSITIONING Willingness to mediate aside, China has also made clear it backs Iran in the conflict. In the phone calls with his Israeli and Iranian counterparts, Wang Yi expressed as much while calling Israel's behaviour "unacceptable". Meanwhile, Xi on Tuesday singled out Israel's military actions against Iran as escalating tensions in the Middle East. 'We oppose any actions that infringe upon the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of other countries. Military conflict is not the solution to problems, and rising regional tensions do not align with the common interests of the international community,' he said. Analysts say that economic and geopolitical factors underpin China's position. 'Beijing's stance is driven by energy dependence, fear of US sanctions, rivalry optics with Washington, and a need to keep Saudi and Emirati doors open,' said FDD's Singleton. Fudan University's Sun said the willingness of BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states to support multilateral mediation efforts could shape China's approach, referring to these regional groupings that involve several Middle Eastern nations. But it ultimately depends on how far China is willing to risk a possible failed mediation attempt that could expose the limits of its diplomatic reach and standing as a global peacemaker, he added. The Atlantic Council's Fulton said China sees Iran as a source of 'cheap oil' and a foil to US ambitions in the Gulf and the broader Middle East. He described the bilateral relationship as 'transactional' and 'deeply asymmetrical'. According to media reports, China purchases nearly 90 per cent of Iran's oil exports, often through independent refiners to circumvent US sanctions. China and Iran inked a 25-year comprehensive strategic partnership in 2021, in a wide-ranging accord that also formally inducted Tehran into Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative. Fulton said China is likely 'quite worried' about the Iranian regime's survival. 'I think they see a vulnerable partner in a very dangerous situation,' he said. Israel has wiped out nearly the entire top echelon of Iran's military commanders and its leading nuclear scientists. It has also said it now has control of Iranian airspace and intends to escalate the campaign in the coming days. China would much prefer that the current Iranian regime tide the conflict through, as its downfall would spell regional instability and unpredictability, said Ghiselli from the University of Exeter. Analysts have pointed out how China views Iran as a strategic partner in counterbalancing American influence in the Middle East. Western sanctions on Tehran have also created space for Chinese companies to fill. Still, Ghiselli said Beijing is unlikely to take proactive steps to assist Tehran, such as by extending military assistance. 'Iran needs more than diplomatic support or missile components. It needs air defences and new fighter jets. China could provide them, but there would be no way to put them to use immediately,' he said. Wading directly into the fray would also inflame already-heightened tensions with the US - a scenario China is keen to avoid, he added. The Group of Seven nations, which includes the US, expressed support for Israel in a statement issued late on Jun 16 and labelled its rival Iran as a source of instability in the Middle East. 'China's direct involvement in the conflict would propel the rivalry (with the US) to another level, in a moment in which Beijing wants to stabilise the relations with Washington to ease the pressure on its economy and tech development,' Ghiselli said. Similarly, FDD's Singleton said tilting too far towards Iran would invite US sanctions on China, alienate its Gulf partners and expose the limits of Beijing's alternative-power narrative. '(Thus) underscoring China's lack of credibility as a serious Middle East power broker and all but relegating it to the sidelines,' he added. As hostilities between Israel and Iran rage on, China will likely adopt a 'reactive approach', 'waiting and hoping' that the Iranian administration does not fall while preparing for a 'post-Ayatollah scenario', said Ghiselli from the University of Exeter. 'In any case, democracy rarely follows when an authoritarian regime collapses. While not ideal, I think China would accept the emergence of a more secular, military-led regime,' he said. 'Chinese analysts have long argued that the policies of the current Iranian leadership were too extreme and counterproductive, given the dire situation of the Iranian economy.' Sweeping Western sanctions and government mismanagement have hit Iran's economy hard. Its rial currency has collapsed in value, inflation has surged drastically, and frequent blackouts amid an energy crisis have hobbled industrial output and daily life. RISKS OF A REGIONAL SPILLOVER While the conflict remains confined to Israel and Iran for now, there are fears it could spill over to the region. This would carry significant risks for both China and the wider world, analysts say. There has been speculation that Iran could move to block the crucial Strait of Hormuz as retaliation. Tehran has in the past threatened to close it in retaliation for Western pressure. Disruption to oil transport through the Strait of Hormuz - the sole maritime artery linking Gulf exporters to global markets - could restrict trade and send energy prices soaring. It accounts for nearly one-fifth of global oil shipments. This is widely deemed to be bad news for China, the world's top importer of crude oil. Beijing sources around 40 per cent of its crude oil from the Middle East, with major suppliers including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates. 'China is the largest trading partner of the Middle East and the predominant importer of Gulf oil. It wants to promote its Belt and Road Initiative in the region,' said Sun from Fudan University. A regional conflagration also risks spiking global oil prices, which would increase China's import bill and strain an economy already feeling the heat from US tariffs, elevated local government debt and an ageing population. Oil prices surged to their highest in three years on Friday in the wake of Israel's attack on Iran, although rates have since fallen back. A spillover of the conflict into more of the Middle East would also threaten the well-being of Chinese nationals in the region, alongside the millions of other foreigners. According to reports, there are an estimated 1 million Chinese citizens in the Middle East, likely more when including the transient population of Chinese visitors, merchants, and contract workers. China's embassies in Israel and Iran have already urged Chinese citizens to leave the respective countries as soon as possible. Even as the trajectory of the conflict remains in flux, analysts say there's a chance the regional risks can be kept in check. 'Oil prices remain steady, regional players are sitting on their hands, and absent proxy escalation (means) the fallout may stay contained,' said FDD's Singleton, calling it 'early days'. 'Though a protracted fight could still redraw risk calculations across the Gulf and in the Indo-Pacific.' A regional escalation would be a 'nightmare scenario', said the Atlantic Council's Fulton.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
China sends mystery transport planes into Iran
A day after Israel attacked Iran on Friday, a cargo plane took off from China. The next day, a second plane departed from a coastal city. Then on Monday, yet another departed, this time from Shanghai – three flights in three days. Data showed that on each flight, the plane flew westward along northern China, crossing into Kazakhstan, then south into Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan – and then falling off the radar as it neared Iran. To add to the mystery, flight plans indicated a final destination of Luxembourg, but the aircraft appeared to have never flown near European skies. Concern has erupted in response over what might have been sent from China in the direction of Iran as Tehran's war with Israel rages on. The worry is real – aviation experts have noted that the type of plane used, Boeing 747 freighters, are commonly used for transporting military equipment and weapons, and hired to fly government contract orders. Credit: Flightradar24 'These cargos cannot but generate a lot of interest because of the expectation that China might do something to help Iran,' said Andrea Ghiselli, a lecturer at the University of Exeter who specialises in China's relations with the Middle East and North Africa. China and Iran are strategic partners, aligned primarily in their opposition to the US-led world order, and in favour of a new 'multi-polar' phase in global diplomacy. Iran, too, is one of China's key energy suppliers, sending as many as two million barrels of oil a day – so it's no surprise that Beijing might be looking for ways to support and stabilise the Islamic Republic. '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,' said Mr Ghiselli. 'Moreover, in Iran there are probably many that are expecting some kind of help from China.' China has a history of supplying Iran despite international criticism – for example sending thousands of tons of ballistic missile materials that could be used in Iran's development of nuclear weapons. Still, in this key moment, experts say Beijing is likely approaching with caution. Getting involved directly in the Iran-Israel conflict could torpedo any change China has to stabilise its relations with the US, Israel's strongest ally. Beijing is still reeling from a high-stakes trade war with Washington. 'The presence of Chinese military hardware would make that impossible, especially as there are already some that are pushing for the US to join the war also to contain China by attacking Iran,' said Mr Ghiselli. While 'the likelihood remains low' of China overtly sending defence materials to Tehran, the possibility 'should not be dismissed and must be closely monitored', said Tuvia Gering, a China and Middle East specialist at Israel's Institute of National Security Studies. Unless independent inspections are carried out, it is not possible to know exactly what the cargo planes were carrying. In later flights, some of the aircraft appear to take off from around the same area along the Turkmenistan-Iran border, and go toward Luxembourg, according to publicly available flight data. Cargolux, the Luxembourg-based company that operated the planes, said its flights did not utilise Iranian airspace, but the firm did not respond to questions about what they were carrying. Cargo manifests are not considered a matter of public record, and though any dangerous goods or special loads have to be declared to the operator and handling agents, information provided could be inaccurate or misleading. China has tried before to send weapons disguised as commercial goods, labelling drone components as wind turbine parts, according to shipments intercepted by European authorities. A Telegraph investigation last year found that China tried to send $1 billion (£738 million) of drones to Libya, hidden behind a web of shell firms in the UK, Tunisia and Egypt, in exchange for crude oil. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
