Aircraft parts and electronics from Beijing were delivered to Tehran's military apparatus throughout the first half of the year, customs data show. These goods arrived in about 1,300 shipments that included dual-use components for missiles and drones, with volumes rising via Mahan Air cargo flights after the U.S. blockaded Iranian sea trade. One delivery of guidance electronics landed on the day the U.S. and Iran signed a temporary truce in April, followed by shipments of drone parts worth over $6 million two days later.

The Trump administration has avoided directly confronting Beijing over the support, as officials have downplayed the assistance ahead of President Trump's summit with Xi Jinping. China denies providing improper support and maintains that it regulates its dual-use exports according to international rules. To counter the flow of ballistic-missile chemicals and military technology, the U.S. has sanctioned several entities in China and Hong Kong.