A series of unexplained cargo flights originating from China has triggered growing international concerns that Beijing may be covertly supporting Iran as tensions with Israel intensify.
According to an investigation by The Telegraph, at least three Boeing 747 cargo aircraft—frequently used for transporting military equipment—departed major Chinese cities on consecutive days beginning Saturday, just hours after Israel launched a wave of precision airstrikes on Iranian military targets.
The aircraft, operated by Luxembourg-based Cargolux, followed unusual flight paths, flying westward across Central Asia. However, each flight mysteriously vanished from civilian radar tracking systems as it approached Iranian airspace.
While their listed destinations were in Europe—specifically Luxembourg—none of the aircraft continued on to their supposed endpoints.
Cargolux later confirmed to The Telegraph that while the aircraft did not officially enter Iranian airspace, the company would not disclose the contents of the cargo on board, citing commercial confidentiality.
The lack of transparency, combined with the suspicious flight behavior, has sparked speculation among analysts and security experts about the true nature of the missions.
“These flights raise serious questions, particularly given the timing,” said Andrea Ghiselli, an academic expert on China–Middle East relations.
“The fact that they originated from China and disappeared near Iran, shortly after a military escalation with Israel, makes it difficult not to wonder whether Beijing may be offering some form of material support to Tehran.”
China and Iran have long maintained a strategic partnership, often rooted in their shared opposition to U.S. geopolitical dominance. Over the past two decades, China has supplied Iran with a range of conventional weapon systems, ballistic missile components, and, more recently, dual-use technologies—goods that can be applied to both civilian and military purposes.
While international arms embargoes have officially curtailed large-scale weapons transfers, numerous loopholes and the use of third-party intermediaries continue to enable illicit flows of sensitive materials.
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