In a bold escalation of its weapons development efforts, Iran has reportedly ordered thousands of tons of missile-grade chemicals from China—enough to produce hundreds of ballistic missiles. The shipments, which include ammonium perchlorate, a critical ingredient in solid rocket fuel, mark a troubling development as Tehran ramps up its arsenal amid rising tensions with the United States and its regional allies.
The procurement was arranged through an Iranian firm linked to the regime’s military-industrial complex, with the materials sourced from a Hong Kong-based supplier. U.S. intelligence suggests the massive stockpile could support the construction of approximately 800 ballistic missiles, with a portion expected to be funneled to proxy groups like the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
This move comes after Israeli strikes reportedly crippled parts of Iran’s domestic missile production infrastructure. To compensate, Tehran is now importing vital components from abroad to rebuild its inventory and supply allied terrorist groups.
Adding to concerns is Iran’s ongoing refusal to place any limits on its missile program, even as it edges closer to weapons-grade uranium enrichment levels. President Donald Trump has warned that Iran’s latest provocations are pushing the region closer to conflict, and the administration has responded by issuing new sanctions on six Chinese and Iranian entities involved in supplying restricted materials to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The Treasury Department also moved swiftly to classify sodium perchlorate—a chemical precursor to ammonium perchlorate—as a restricted dual-use substance, citing its direct role in Iran’s missile and nuclear programs.
Security experts warn that Iran’s chemical stockpiling, coupled with a growing disregard for international oversight, could signal a major arms expansion with global consequences. The procurement also reignites scrutiny over China’s role in enabling rogue states through opaque supply chains and backdoor deals.
With nuclear talks stalled and regional instability on the rise, Iran’s latest move makes clear it has no intention of backing down—and the Trump administration appears poised to meet that challenge head-on.