Iran Working To Secure Key Chemical From China, Russia To Power Ballistic Missiles

(New York, N.Y.) — Chinese and Russian businesses, are reportedly engaged in secret negotiations with the Islamic Republic to resupply the regime’s stockpile of a key chemical compound used to propel solid-fueled ballistic missiles, including those used to attack U.S. military personnel. Such a transaction, if completed, would violate U.N. Security Council restrictions, deepen the Iranian regime’s strategic ties with both nations, and provide further evidence that Iran will continue to threaten the international community under the protection of its partners in Beijing and Moscow.

Iranian and Chinese companies established commercial relations for military purposes in October 2015, just months after the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was agreed upon. The U.S. has sanctioned Chinese entities and individuals for providing Tehran with sensitive technologies supporting Iran’s missile program. Chinese firms supplied Iran with machines to process nitrile butadiene rubber and an inert gas jet milling system used for making solid propellant. Recently, China has been accused of selling Iran surveillance and drone technologies to Tehran.  

Since 2018, China has purchased over $100 billion worth of steeply discounted U.S.-sanctioned Iranian oil. In 2021, China reportedly agreed to invest $400 billion over the next quarter-century in Iran’s economy. 

Moscow has already demonstrated its willingness to help Iran violate the ballistic missile restrictions that remain in force under U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231 by accepting transfers of Iranian military drones. Russia also plans to sell Iran its most technologically advanced fighter jet, the Sukhoi Su-35, according to Iranian state media. Following the Iranian model, Moscow has also established its own shadow fleet of 45 vessels to circumvent EU restrictions on shipping, insurance, and reinsurance companies from handling cargoes of Russian crude oil.  

It is essential that all U.N. sanctions and restrictions on Iran are reimposed through the “snapback” mechanism enshrined in Resolution 2231, which can be invoked in response to any violation of the JCPOA over the veto of China or Russia. Absent any action, restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile program and related technologies will expire in October 2023. 

To read UANI’s resource, Tehran’s Ties with Beijing and Moscow, please click here.

To read UANI’s resource, JCPOA Sunset Alert: Missile Restrictions, please click here. 

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