Iran may have used Chinese missile to shoot down US fighter jet, sources say

The F-15 fighter jet shot down over southwestern Iran last month, triggering a major rescue operation, was likely hit by a Chinese-made shoulder-launched missile, reports NBC News.

In the early days of the conflict, China may also have supplied Iran with a long-range early-warning radar capable of detecting stealth aircraft designed to evade detection, according to one source and a US official familiar with the matter.

US officials are still investigating the circumstances of the downing of the American F-15E Strike Eagle in April, the sources said.

It marked the first time in decades that a US fighter jet had been brought down by enemy fire.

It is unclear when the equipment was transferred.

However, Iran's use of Chinese-made weapons complicates US relations with Beijing as President Donald Trump seeks China's help in ending the conflict. 

Negotiations continue even as the US carries out what it calls "defensive" strikes.

The Trump administration brokered a ceasefire with Iran ahead of a key meeting with President Xi Jinping earlier this month.

As Iran's main oil buyer, China has said the war must end.

"We are not immune to global oil prices at some point, because we do buy from the global market, but other countries are paying a much higher price," Secretary of State Marco Rubio told NBC News during his China visit. "They've got to get involved in this as well."

Rubio also said Trump is not relying on Xi, saying, "We're not asking for China's help. We don't need their help."

At the time the aircraft was downed, Trump said it was hit by a shoulder-launched missile.

These weapons, also known as "man-portable air defense systems" or "MANPADS," are about 7 feet long, weigh about 40 pounds and are an inexpensive, effective way to bring down low-flying aircraft.

The two-member F-15 crew ejected safely over Iran.

The pilot was rescued within seven hours, while the weapons systems officer was found two days later after hiding in the Zagros foothills, according to the Pentagon.

The White House referred NBC News to Trump's Fox News interview remarks, where he said Xi had assured him China would not supply military equipment to Iran, and to his comments at the White House: "President Xi has promised me that he's not sending any weapons to Iran. That's a beautiful promise. I take him at his word. I appreciated it."

A Chinese Embassy spokesperson said: "China acts prudently on military exports and enforces strict controls under its laws and international obligations. China opposes groundless accusations and malicious associations."

US intelligence suggests China planned to supply Iran with new air defense weaponry in coming weeks, NBC News previously reported.

Former national security officials said US intelligence may have been leaked to expose China's plans.

It is unclear whether the shoulder-launched missile was recently delivered or taken from older stockpiles.

It is also unclear whether the YLC-8B radar was deployed.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration accused China of allowing Iran access to Chinese satellites to target US forces in the region.

The State Department sanctioned three Chinese satellite firms, saying they provided imagery and data enabling Iranian attacks on US forces in the Middle East. China denied the allegation.

US officials said China's support for Iran is known, noting it predates the war and has had no decisive battlefield impact.

"It was not significant support. There was no decisive operational impact," a US official said.

China once sold large quantities of weapons to Iran in the 1980s and 1990s, including ballistic missiles, anti-ship missiles, tanks, artillery and fighter jets.

After the 2006 UN arms embargo, China reduced major arms sales and shifted to dual-use technology with civilian and military applications, according to experts and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Iran has since built its own domestic weapons industry.

China remains an economic lifeline for Iran despite US sanctions, and by supplying technology and dual-use goods has helped expand Iran's surveillance capabilities and sustain its military, according to Craig Singleton, senior director of the China program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.