A new report claims that Iran has ordered thousands of tons of ballistic missile materials from China that could be used for hundreds of ballistic missiles. The report comes as Iran continues to negotiate with the United States regarding a nuclear program deal.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran has ordered thousands of tons of ammonium perchlorate from China. The outlet noted that ammonium perchlorate is a chemical compound that is used in ballistic missiles.
According to the Wall Street Journal, sources claimed that Iran is expected to receive China’s shipments of ammonium perchlorate in the coming months and that the chemical compound could potentially be used in hundreds of ballistic missiles. The sources said Pishgaman Tejarat Rafi Novin Co., an Iranian company, purchased the ammonium perchlorate from Lion Commodities Holdings Ltd., a company based in Hong Kong.
The New York Post reported that a portion of the ammonium perchlorate reportedly purchased from China will likely be used in ballistic missiles supplied to Iran-backed terrorist organizations in the Middle East, including the Houthis terrorist organization, which has repeatedly attacked military and commercial ships in the Red Sea and has carried out attacks against Israel.
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In April, the Treasury Department announced that it was designating “six entities and six individuals based in Iran and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for their role in a network procuring ballistic missile propellant ingredients on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).”
The Treasury Department warned that the network of individuals and entities had helped Iran obtain materials used in ballistic missiles from China.
“Iran’s aggressive development of missiles and other weapons capabilities imperils the safety of the United States and our partners, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said at the time. “It also destabilizes the Middle East, and violates the global agreements intended to prevent the proliferation of these technologies. To achieve peace through strength, Treasury will continue to take all available measures to deprive Iran’s access to resources necessary to advance its missile program.”
In a public speech on Tuesday, Iranian Supreme Leader Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected a nuclear deal with the United States, saying, “The rude and arrogant leaders of America repeatedly demand that we should not have a nuclear program. Who are you to decide whether Iran should have enrichment?”
Following Iran’s rejection of a nuclear deal with the United States, Trump issued a statement on Truth Social, warning that “time is running out on Iran’s decision pertaining to nuclear weapons.” Trump added, “It is my opinion that Iran has been slowwalking their decision on this very important matter, and we will need a definitive answer in a very short period of time!”
