According to CNN, US intelligence assessments indicate that China is preparing to deliver new air defense systems to Iran within the next few weeks.The development comes as China has publicly said it helped support efforts for a fragile ceasefire that halted the recent US-Iran conflict.It also comes ahead of expected high-level talks, with US President Donald Trump scheduled to visit China next month for discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping.The intelligence findings suggest that despite international scrutiny, Iran may use the ceasefire period to rebuild parts of its air defense network with the assistance of its key partners.CNN quoted sources as saying that there are indications that China is attempting to route the shipments through third countries to conceal their origin. The systems under discussion are shoulder-fired anti-air missiles, known as MANPADS, which could pose a serious threat to low-flying military aircraft.These systems had already played a significant role during the five-week conflict, where such weapons posed a risk to US aircraft operating in the area. Officials said they could become a threat again if the ceasefire is broken.A spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington rejected the allegations, saying China had not supplied weapons to any side in the conflict.“China has never provided weapons to any party in the conflict; the information in question is untrue.”The spokesperson said China, as a “responsible major country”, is committed to international obligations and urged the United States to refrain from making baseless claims.The embassy had earlier said China was working to support efforts to end the conflict and promote a ceasefire.The intelligence also comes amid broader geopolitical tensions over Iran’s military capabilities. During the conflict, Trump said an F-15 fighter jet was reportedly shot down by a “handheld shoulder missile”.Iran separately claimed that it had used a ‘new’ air defense system in the attack. Currently, Chinese companies are believed to be already supplying Iran with approved dual-use technologies that can support weapons development and navigation systems. However, the direct transfer of entire weapons systems by the Chinese state would represent a significantly higher level of involvement.China is also preparing for high-level engagement with the United States, with Trump expected to meet Xi in Beijing next month. The White House said diplomatic contacts between US and Chinese officials were continuing while ceasefire talks involving Iran were underway.A source familiar with the intelligence assessment said China is unlikely to openly engage in the conflict because it sees little strategic benefit in a confrontation with the US and Israel.Instead, Beijing is believed to aim to preserve its relationship with Iran while preserving potential international denial.Officials also highlight that China could argue that the systems are defensive in nature, which differentiates them from offensive weapons supplied by other countries involved in the conflict. For example, Russia has been accused of providing intelligence support to Iran during the war, while China and Russia maintain extensive strategic ties with Tehran.Iran has long-standing military and economic ties with both countries. It has supplied Shaheed drones to Russia for use in the Ukraine war, while also exporting a significant portion of its sanctioned oil to China.