Iran reportedly buys ballistic missile ingredients in bulk from Beijing

Iran has reportedly purchased thousands of tons of ingredients for ballistic missiles from China, sources familiar with the situation told The Wall Street Journal on Friday.

Tons of shipments of ammonium perchlorate, a powerful oxidizer used in rocket propellant, are expected to arrive in Iran over the next several months, sources told the WSJ. The fuel could power hundreds of ballistic missiles, and some analysts expect the chemicals will be used to help supply Iranian-backed militias like the Houthis in Yemen, one source told the WSJ.

“The Chinese side has always exercised strict control over dual-use items in accordance with China’s export control laws and regulations and its international obligations,” a Chinese spokesperson told the WSJ.

An Iranian entity called Pishgaman Tejarat Rafi Novin Co. reportedly ordered the ingredients within the past few months from Lion Commodities Holdings Ltd., which is based in Hong Kong, people familiar with the order told the WSJ. Pishgaman and Lion Commodities Director Nelson Barba could not be reached for comment.

Earlier in 2025, two Iranian ships were loaded in Hong Kong with roughly 1,000 tons of sodium perchlorate, a chemical precursor needed to produce ammonium perchlorate, according to the WSJ.

As of February 2024, Iran holds around 3,000 ballistic missiles in its arsenal, according to Iran Watch. The missiles have a reported maximum range of 2,000 kilometers, which is far enough to reach Israel and other U.S. allies in the region.

Houthi rebels have also used missiles to attack Israel and harass vital global shipping lanes in the Red Sea. Iran and several of its affiliated terror groups also launched two massive missile barrages targeting Israel in 2024.

Iran has long spearheaded the “axis of resistance” against Israel, which includes Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis and various Shi’ite armed groups in Iraq and Syria that receive support from the Iranian regime. The U.S. has taken notice of Iran’s partnership with China in procuring ballistic missile components, issuing a slew of sanctions in April to control the trade of the components between Tehran and Beijing.

“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 in a statement on the sanctions April 29. “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.”

Moreover, the purchase could further complicate U.S. negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Iran has vowed to continue enrichment as their stockpile of weapons-ready uranium continues to grow, but President Donald Trump made clearTuesday that the U.S. will not allow any enrichment in a prospective Iran nuclear deal.

The Chinese Embassy and the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s requests for comment.

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