Is Pakistan facilitating Chinese missile shipments to Iran? Islamabad responds

Pakistan has pushed back strongly against reports claiming it would act as a conduit for Chinese-made weapons headed to Iran, as Tehran remains locked in a tense standoff with the Donald Trump-led US administration.The rejection by Munir's military comes as Islamabad continues its familiar balancing act, staying aligned with China while courting Trump-led Washington, exposing its two-faced tendency in its foreign policy approach.Pakistan’s military chief has recently found favour with US President Donald Trump, while Islamabad continues to project itself as a potential bridge between its neighbour Iran and the United States.Reacting to reports that Pakistan was set to facilitate the transit of up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air defence missile systems to Iran, the Trump's "favourite field marshal"-led army dismissed the claims outright.“All such speculations are baseless and devoid of truth,” Pakistan’s military media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said, according to Azerbaijan news, citing Anadolu Agency.“Such speculations are categorically rejected,” the ISPR added.The denial came after Reuters reported on Wednesday that Iran was expected to receive its first shipment of Chinese air defence systems within weeks, as Tehran looks to rebuild its defensive capabilities amid its conflict with the United States.According to Reuters, the initial deliveries were planned to move from Urumqi in western China and pass through Pakistan before reaching Iran, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter. The sources, however, did not clarify whether the transit would take place by air or through land routes.The reports emerged amid speculation over US weapons stockpiles being stretched due to ongoing global conflicts, though Trump later dismissed such concerns. The episode has once again highlighted Islamabad’s delicate balancing act between Beijing and Washington as tensions continue to rise around Iran.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.