Report claims Iranian forces used Chinese missile system in US jet downing

• NBC News reports claim Iran may have used Chinese-made missile systems in the downing of a US F-15E aircraft in southern Iran in April.
• The incident, if confirmed, could mark a major escalation involving advanced air defense technology and US-China tensions.

US media has reported that Iran may have used a Chinese-made shoulder-fired missile system to shoot down a US F-15E Strike Eagle over southern Iran in April, according to sources familiar with the investigation.

NBC News cited three officials who said early findings suggest the aircraft was hit by a man-portable air defense system, known as MANPADS, potentially supplied through Chinese channels. The report has not been independently verified by US authorities.

If confirmed, the incident would mark one of the most significant losses of a US combat aircraft in decades due to hostile fire.

Officials quoted in the report suggested that Iranian forces may have used upgraded short-range air defense systems capable of targeting low-altitude aircraft.

Some assessments also indicate that China may have provided Iran with early-warning radar systems, improving its ability to track advanced aircraft designed to evade detection.

The claims raise concerns in Washington about potential technology transfers that could alter the regional military balance.

The Pentagon has previously described a complex recovery operation following the crash, after both crew members ejected and landed in rugged terrain in Iran’s Zagros Mountains.

According to defense officials, the pilot was located and evacuated within seven hours of the crash.

The weapons systems officer evaded capture for nearly two days before being recovered in a separate special operations mission deep in mountainous terrain.

The report comes as the Trump administration continues sensitive negotiations aimed at reducing tensions with Iran, including discussions on nuclear restrictions and maritime security.

The White House referred inquiries to earlier remarks by President Donald Trump, who said Chinese President Xi Jinping had assured him that Beijing was not supplying weapons to Iran, calling the assurance “a beautiful promise.”

China’s embassy in Washington strongly denied the claims, calling them “completely unfounded” and accusing NBC News of political distortion.

Beijing said it maintains strict export controls on military goods and complies with international obligations, rejecting any suggestion of involvement in weapons transfers linked to the incident.