Western Sources Report Shipment of Chemicals from China to Iran’s Missile Program

Western sources report that Iran is ramping up efforts to strengthen its missile program. According to ship tracking data and European intelligence, a vessel has arrived at Bandar Abbas port in Iran, allegedly carrying a crucial component for the production of missile fuel, as reported by NewsBox.

The ship Golbon, which left the Chinese port of Taicang three weeks ago, delivered approximately 1,000 tons of sodium perchlorate—a precursor necessary for the production of solid fuel used in Iran's medium-range missiles. Estimates suggest this amount is sufficient to produce fuel for about 260 solid propellant rocket engines for Iran's "Khaibar Shekan" missiles or 200 "Haj Qasem" ballistic missiles, according to CNN.

These details emerge amid reports of setbacks faced by Iran in the region and following an Israeli strike on Iranian missile production facilities last October. Some Western experts had predicted that Iran would require at least a year to resume solid fuel production. According to sources, this shipment indicates that Iran is either close to restoring its missile capabilities or has already returned to previous production levels.

Intelligence reports state that the shipment was procured by the Procurement Department of the Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization (SSJO), which is part of the structure responsible for developing Iran's ballistic missiles.

A second vessel, the Jairan, is expected to arrive, delivering the remaining 1,000 tons of sodium perchlorate. Both ships belong to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL).