Iran has secured a large-scale supply of Chinese materials critical to manufacturing hundreds of ballistic missiles, just as nuclear negotiations with the United States reach a pivotal point.

Tehran has ordered thousands of tons of ammonium perchlorate—an oxidizer key to solid rocket fuel—from China to bolster its missile program, according to sources familiar with the deal. The shipments, which include earlier deliveries of sodium perchlorate, are sufficient to fuel up to 800 ballistic missiles.

The transactions come as Iran seeks to rebuild its military capability following Israeli strikes and regional setbacks, particularly to its allies Hezbollah and Hamas. Some of the imported materials are expected to be shared with aligned militias, including the Houthis in Yemen.

Sanctions and Strategic Warnings from the U.S.

The U.S. Treasury recently sanctioned multiple Chinese and Iranian individuals and firms involved in procuring missile-related chemicals. A State Department official warned, “Chinese entities and individuals have provided support to Iran’s ballistic missile program, as well as to the Houthis’ missile and UAV production efforts.”

The sanctions follow earlier reports of Iranian ships collecting over 1,000 tons of sodium perchlorate from China in February and March. These shipments alone could support the production of approximately 260 short-range missiles.

Explosions, Safety Failures, and Internal Risks

Amid these transfers, safety concerns have intensified. In April, an explosion at Iran’s Shahid Rajaee port—blamed on mishandled explosive material by the IRGC Quds Force—killed dozens and reportedly destroyed some of the imported chemical stockpile.

Military analyst Fabian Hinz of the International Institute for Strategic Studies noted that “Iran’s defense industrial complex does not have a strong track record in ensuring safety standards,” adding that storing such substances poses serious risks.

Wider Geopolitical Implications

The missile build-up aligns with Iran's efforts to rebuild its “Axis of Resistance” network, targeting the U.S. and Israeli presence in the region. Recent transfers of ballistic missiles to Shia militias in Iraq suggest Iran’s readiness to resume or expand proxy confrontations.

Despite claiming no involvement, China’s role is under scrutiny. Beijing maintains that it follows strict export controls and was unaware of the contract. Yet Iran’s continued procurement signals its intent to advance its deterrence capabilities, even as it rejects any limitations on its missile program during talks with the U.S.

Iran’s missile program was heavily damaged in October 2024 when Israeli operations destroyed around a dozen planetary mixers vital for propellant production. As the Islamic Republic rebuilds, it simultaneously faces growing economic and political pressure, especially as President Trump pushes for renewed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear and missile activities. Iran, for its part, has ruled out curbs on its missile program, choosing instead to escalate regional support and deterrence.