One day after Israel attacked Iran, a cargo plane took off from China. The next day, a second plane took off from a coastal city. Then, on Monday, another plane took off, this time from Shanghai – three flights in three days.
Data showed that all three planes flew westward, along the north of China, crossing Kazakhstan, then southward, into Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan – and then disappearing from radar as they approached Iran, writes The Telegraph.
To add to the mystery, flight plans indicated Luxembourg as the final destination, but it seems the aircraft never flew near European skies.
There is concern about what China may have sent in the direction of Iran as the war with Israel continues.
Aviation experts noted that this type of Boeing 747 cargo aircraft is commonly used for transporting military equipment and weapons and is engaged in operating government contract orders.
“These cargoes can only generate a lot of interest due to the expectation that Beijing could do something to help Iran,” said Andrea Ghiselli, lecturer at the University of Exeter, specializing in China's relations with the Middle East and North Africa.
China and Iran are strategic partners, primarily aligned in their opposition to the US-led world order and in favor of a new “multipolar” phase in global diplomacy.
And Iran is one of China's main energy suppliers, sending up to two million barrels of oil per day - so it's not surprising that Beijing may be seeking ways to support and stabilize the Islamic Republic.
“The collapse of the current regime would be a significant blow and would generate a lot of instability in the Middle East, ultimately undermining China's economic and energy interests,” said Ghiselli.
China has a history of supplying Iran despite international criticism - for example, sending thousands of tons of materials for ballistic missiles that could be used in Iran's development of nuclear weapons.
Beijing approaches the situation cautiously
However, at this key moment, experts say Beijing is likely approaching the situation cautiously.
Direct involvement in the Iran-Israel conflict could jeopardize any changes China has in mind to stabilize its relations with the US, Israel's strongest ally. Beijing is still reeling from a high-stakes trade war with Washington.
“The presence of Chinese military equipment would make this impossible, especially as there are already those pushing for the US to join the war,” said Ghiselli.
Although “the likelihood of Beijing sending defense equipment to Tehran remains low,” the possibility “should not be dismissed and must be closely monitored,” said Tuvia Gering, a China and Middle East specialist at the Institute for National Security Studies in Israel.
Without independent inspections, we won't know exactly what the cargo planes were carrying.
China has previously attempted to send arms disguised in commercial goods, labeling drone components as wind turbine parts, according to shipments intercepted by European authorities.
A Telegraph investigation last year found that Beijing tried to send drones worth $1 billion to Libya, hidden behind a network of phantom firms in the UK, Tunisia, and Egypt, in exchange for oil.