On Fox News, Robert Greenway, former senior director of the National Security Council under President Trump, speculated that the flights could be part of a covert operation.
“These aircraft may be carrying high-value assets, critical military hardware, or even regime valuables—gold, currency, documents—being relocated to secure locations ahead of a potential escalation,” Greenway said.
The flights coincided with a significant uptick in hostilities between Iran and Israel. After a barrage of Iranian missiles killed several civilians in southern Israel earlier in the week, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) responded with targeted airstrikes on Iranian missile depots and radar installations in western Iran.
The exchange marked one of the most direct confrontations between the two nations in recent years and has fueled concerns of a broader regional war.
In the United States, President Donald Trump was asked during a campaign event whether he would authorize direct military action against Iran. His answer was as enigmatic as ever:
“I may do it, I may not do it,” he said, leaving the door open for speculation on possible U.S. intervention should the conflict escalate further.
Meanwhile, diplomatic circles remain on edge. The mystery surrounding the cargo flights—coupled with Iran’s increasingly brazen military activity and Israel’s uncompromising retaliation—suggests that covert alliances may be quietly solidifying behind the scenes. Analysts warn that even if China is not directly arming Iran, the perception of such support could significantly shift the strategic calculus in the region.
“Even symbolic moves—like allowing cargo with dual-use items to transit to Iran—could embolden Tehran and deepen the confrontation,” said a senior European intelligence official who requested anonymity. “If these flights turn out to be more than just coincidences, we’re looking at a dangerous new dimension to an already volatile conflict.”