By our correspondent
WASHINGTON: Officials in the United States have claimed that China’s largest chip-making company provided semiconductor manufacturing equipment to Iran’s military.
According to foreign media reports, two senior officials linked to the Donald Trump administration, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Chinese equipment was delivered to Iran nearly a year ago, adding there is no evidence that the cooperation has stopped.
The officials said the collaboration may have also included technical training related to semiconductor technology, which could significantly support Iran’s military-industrial capabilities.
Reports said it remains unclear whether the supplied equipment was of US origin, as that could constitute a violation of American sanctions.
No response has been issued so far by the Chinese company, the Chinese embassy in Washington, or Iran’s mission to the United Nations.
The United States has imposed restrictions on several Chinese firms to curb their access to advanced semiconductor technology. The company in question was placed on a US trade blacklist in 2020, limiting its access to American exports, though it has repeatedly denied links with China’s military-industrial system.
Meanwhile, China maintains that it continues normal trade relations with Iran and has not officially supported any side in the ongoing Middle East tensions.
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