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Krishnamoorthi questions Trump admin over China's support for Iran
Krishnamoorthi warns that the reported transfer could put American servicemembers at greater risk and appears to contradict Beijing's assurances to President Donald Trump that China was not supplying weapons to Iran.
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Staff Reporter - Fri, 07, Aug 2026
- 00:36 EDT
- 14
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi / X
US Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi has sought a response from top Trump administration national security officials over reports that China is rearming Iran with shoulder-fired air defense missiles, warning that the administration must end this “needless and destructive war,” which is harming the American economy and risking the lives of American soldiers.
The letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and CIA Director John Ratcliffe said that China's alleged transfer of 300 to 400 man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) to Iran to replenish its degraded air defense systems directly threatens American servicemembers and violates earlier assurances from Beijing.
Krishnamoorthi, a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, warns that the reported transfer could put American servicemembers at greater risk and appears to contradict Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping's assurances to President Donald Trump that China was not supplying weapons to Iran.
"Public reports from this week indicate that the PRC signed a deal to ship an initial batch of 300 to 400 man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) to Iran to replenish its degraded air defense systems, putting American servicemembers at risk. I have written to you before regarding the PRC's military support for the Iranian regime, and this news only deepens my concern," Krishnamoorthi said in the letter dated Aug. 6.
China is reportedly rearming Iran with shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles, putting American servicemembers at greater risk.
— Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (@CongressmanRaja) August 6, 2026
I've demanded answers about what the Administration knows, how it's protecting our troops, and whether Beijing violated its assurances to President… pic.twitter.com/VGYxnQ6DeP
The letter cites recent public reports that China agreed to transfer Chinese-made QW-12 and FN-16 man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) to Iran through a Hong Kong-based company, potentially replenishing Iran's degraded air defenses.
Krishnamoorthi noted that MANPADS are capable of targeting aircraft, helicopters and low-flying drones, increasing the threat to US forces and security partners in the region.
Calling on the White House to alter its strategy in the Middle East, Krishnamoorthi said, "The administration must end this needless and destructive war, which is harming the American economy and risking the lives of American servicemembers. The war has caused major damage to the US global reputation and is encouraging our adversaries to cooperate in tandem against us."
"At the same time, it is essential that the State Department and White House make clear that it is unacceptable for Beijing to provide support that emboldens Iran's repressive regime and enhances its military capabilities," he said.
Krishnamoorthi requested that the administration disclose by Aug. 16, 2026, the extent to which China is helping Iran rebuild its military capabilities, including through the provision of portable air defense systems, and whether there is evidence of other confirmed or discussed arms sales from Beijing to Iran.
The congressman also demanded answers on the steps being taken to protect American servicemembers and military assets from MANPADS and other similar systems in the Iran conflict.
Additionally, he requested intelligence assessments regarding the US capability to track arms moved overland via Pakistan, the determination of the extent to which Pakistani leadership knew of the deal and proposed transfer, and whether the intelligence community possesses sufficient resources to monitor these evolving threats moving forward.
The letter also requests a classified briefing on the reported MANPADS agreement, PRC military and intelligence support for Iran, and CIA, State Department and Defense Department efforts to prevent similar threats to American servicemembers.
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