WASHINGTON: Fresh allegations from US officials have added a new layer of complexity to global geopolitical tensions, with claims that China’s leading semiconductor firm, SMIC, has been providing chipmaking support to Iran’s military apparatus.
According to Reuters quoting two senior US officials, the shipments of semiconductor manufacturing tools from SMIC to Iran’s military industrial complex began approximately a year ago and may still be ongoing.
The officials further suggested that the cooperation likely extended beyond equipment supply to include technical training on semiconductor technologies—an assertion that, if confirmed, could significantly enhance Iran’s domestic electronics and defense capabilities.
The claims come at a sensitive time, as the United States and Israel remain engaged in a month-long conflict with Iran, which has already disrupted global markets, driven up oil prices, and heightened inflation concerns worldwide.
Washington has not clarified whether the tools in question contained US-origin technology, which would potentially constitute a breach of existing sanctions against Tehran.
Neither SMIC nor Chinese or Iranian officials have publicly responded to the allegations. Beijing has consistently maintained that its trade relations with Iran are purely commercial and within international norms, while SMIC has repeatedly denied any involvement with military-linked activities.
The situation risks further straining US-China relations, already under pressure due to Washington’s ongoing efforts to curb China’s access to advanced semiconductor technologies.
The US has imposed multiple restrictions on SMIC, including export controls that limit its ability to acquire cutting-edge chipmaking equipment from American firms such as Lam Research, KLA, and Applied Materials.
These developments also follow earlier reports suggesting that Iran was nearing a defense agreement with China involving anti-ship missile systems, underscoring a broader pattern of strategic cooperation between the two nations.
While the exact role of the alleged semiconductor tools in Iran’s military response remains unclear, US officials warn that such technology could be used across a wide range of electronic systems, potentially strengthening Iran’s defense infrastructure.
China, for its part, has maintained a neutral stance in the ongoing Middle East conflict, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently calling for immediate peace negotiations. However, the latest accusations may complicate Beijing’s diplomatic positioning and deepen mistrust between the world’s two largest economies.
