On September 25, 2025, at Baharestan Square in Tehran, a domestic missile ‘Haybar-buster’ was unveiled along with banners bearing portraits of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the late armed forces commanders who died as a result of an Israeli strike in June. AP/Vahid Salemi
Iran has stepped up the resumption of its own ballistic missile program, despite the renewed United Nations sanctions in September 2025 aimed at banning weapons sales and activities related to the missile sector. Such data appeared in materials released by the intelligence services of European countries.
According to sources, China shipped to Iran several shipments of sodium perchlorate – a key precursor for solid rocket fuel. The deliveries began on September 29, 2025, and the total amount was about 2,000 tons.
The Government of China stated that it is ‘unaware’ of the sale and export to Iran of sodium perchlorate and its use in the production of ballistic missiles by the Iranian government.
– Government of China
We want to emphasize that China seeks a peaceful resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue through political and diplomatic means and opposes sanctions and pressure.
– Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China
On September 28, 2025, the UN reinstated an arms embargo and a number of other sanctions against Iran. The new restrictions cover a ban on uranium enrichment and processing, any activity related to ballistic missiles, as well as an arms embargo.
In addition, asset freezes were imposed on dozens of Iranian officials and companies, travel restrictions for certain individuals, and a ban on any uranium-related commercial projects involving Iran. China and Russia condemned the imposition of the sanctions in a letter sent to the UN; China regards these measures as illegal.
Iran says it intends to resume its missile and nuclear programs after, in the summer of 2025, Israel and the United States allegedly destroyed Iran’s nuclear weapons production sites.
Context of sanctions and the international community’s reaction
The situation unfolds against the backdrop of renewed UN sanctions on Iran, which tightened restrictions on arms, nuclear activities, and the flow of technology.