Several mysterious cargo flights from China have sparked concerns of covert support for Iran amid escalating conflict with Israel. According to The Telegraph, at least three Boeing 747 freighters—commonly used for transporting military equipment—departed Chinese cities on consecutive days beginning Saturday, shortly after Israel conducted airstrikes on Iran. The aircraft were tracked via public flight monitoring tools as they flew west through Central Asia, before disappearing from radar near Iranian airspace. Though listed as en route to Luxembourg, none of the planes continued toward Europe. Cargolux, the Luxembourg-based operator, confirmed the aircraft did not enter Iranian airspace but declined to reveal what was onboard. This ambiguity has led experts to speculate about potential Chinese involvement. “These cargos cannot but generate a lot of interest because of the expectation that China might do something to help Iran,” said Andrea Ghiselli, a Middle East-China relations expert.
China and Iran maintain a strategic alliance countering U.S. global influence, with Beijing historically supplying Tehran with conventional arms and missile components. Although international sanctions have curbed direct arms transfers since the 2000s, dual-use technologies—civilian goods that can serve military purposes—remain a concern. On Fox News, former Trump National Security Council adviser Robert Greenway suggested Iran could be using the flights to move sensitive materials or “regime valuables” to secure locations. Meanwhile, Israel has intensified its military campaign, striking Iranian missile installations following a deadly missile attack on southern Israel. President Trump, when asked if he would authorize a strike on Iran, responded cryptically: “I may do it, I may not do it.”
