Iran has now reportedly secured thousands of tons of ammonium perchlorate from Chinese suppliers, Western intelligence officials say, marking a significant escalation in Tehran’s efforts to expand its ballistic missile arsenal amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Ammonium perchlorate, a key ingredient in solid-fueled missiles, is used in rockets that can be launched with little warning and are harder to intercept.
According to intelligence assessments, the volume ordered could enable Iran to produce hundreds of new ballistic missiles. Some of the material may be transferred to Iranian proxies such as the Houthis in Yemen, potentially altering the balance of power in ongoing regional conflicts.
The acquisition comes as Iran continues to resist Western pressure to limit its missile program, a sticking point in long-stalled nuclear negotiations.
Officials believe the purchase was made in defiance of international norms and could further isolate Iran diplomatically while increasing its leverage militarily.
The U.S. has responded by imposing sanctions on a network of individuals and companies based in Iran and China accused of facilitating the transaction.
The measures target both the suppliers of missile-grade chemicals and the intermediaries used to mask the true nature of the shipments.
Iran’s missile program has faced significant setbacks in recent years, particularly following a series of Israeli strikes that reportedly damaged key manufacturing infrastructure, including advanced mixers used to prepare solid rocket fuel.
However, Iran has moved quickly to rebuild its capacity and find alternative suppliers, increasingly turning to China as a strategic partner.
The growing collaboration between Iran and China underscores a broader trend of alignment among U.S. rivals, including Russia and North Korea.
Officials fear this new cooperation could accelerate Iran’s missile development and embolden its regional posture, further complicating U.S. efforts to stabilize the region.
Safety concerns also loom large. Last year, a blast at an Iranian port killed over a dozen people after improperly stored rocket fuel components ignited.
Despite the risks, Iran appears determined to pursue rapid expansion of its arsenal.
The revelations arrive at a precarious time, as U.S. forces in the region remain on alert following months of drone and missile attacks by Iranian-backed militias.
The scale of Iran’s procurement suggests not only a desire to strengthen its own defenses but also a willingness to export missile technology to its allies across the Middle East.
For Washington and its allies, Iran’s latest moves reinforce the urgency of containing the spread of advanced missile systems—before the cost becomes irreversible.
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