BEIJING: China has dismissed reports suggesting that its leading semiconductor company has been providing chipmaking equipment to Iran. The Chinese foreign ministry described the allegations as “misinformation” on Friday, amid ongoing tensions over Iran’s involvement in regional conflicts.
The controversy arose after a report, citing two anonymous senior officials from the Trump administration, claimed that Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) had been secretly sending advanced chipmaking tools to Iran for approximately a year. An unnamed U.S. official was quoted as saying there was no indication that such shipments had ceased.
While China maintains a strategic partnership with Iran, it has stopped short of publicly endorsing military support amid the current war following US-Israeli strikes on February 28. Beijing has repeatedly called for a ceasefire and has not announced any direct military aid to Tehran.
The Chinese chip manufacturer, SMIC, did not respond to AFP’s request for comment on the allegations.During a regular press briefing in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian was questioned about the report. He responded that he was “not familiar with the specifics” and criticized the media for publishing “misleading information.” Lin emphasized that, after “verification,” such reports had been confirmed as “completely false,” though he offered no further details.
China has condemned the United States and Israel for the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei but has also expressed disapproval of Tehran’s attacks on Gulf states that host U.S. military bases.
Top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi this week, expressing hope that “all parties can seize every opportunity to pursue peace and initiate negotiations.”
