Pakistan Denies Claims of Transit Route for Chinese Missiles to Iran

Pakistan has officially refuted claims suggesting that it would act as a transit point for Chinese air defense missiles intended for Iran. This denial comes at a time of rising geopolitical tensions between Tehran and Washington, with Islamabad asserting that the allegations are entirely unfounded. The reports in question indicated that the initial shipment of Chinese air defense systems might pass through Pakistani territory before reaching Iran, as the latter aims to bolster its air defense capabilities. In a statement released by Pakistan's military media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the country categorically dismissed these claims as baseless. The ISPR emphasized that all such speculation lacks any factual foundation, firmly stating, "All such speculations are baseless and devoid of truth," while also rejecting the allegations outright without providing additional details.

This statement from Pakistan follows a report by Reuters, which suggested that Iran was on the verge of receiving its first shipment of Chinese air defense systems within a matter of weeks. The report cited unnamed sources who claimed that the initial consignment would originate from Urumqi, a city in western China, and would transit through Pakistan before arriving in Iran. However, the sources did not clarify whether the transportation would occur via air or overland routes. The deliveries were said to be part of Iran's efforts to enhance its air defense network amid ongoing tensions with the United States. Despite these claims, both Chinese and Iranian officials have not publicly confirmed the shipment, and Pakistan has made it clear that it will not facilitate any such transfer.