Suspected Iranian strikes raise US concerns over Chinese missile proliferation

The Donald Trump administration is concerned that US adversaries such as China are abetting Iran’s growing missile arsenal, which is suspected to have been used in strikes against Saudi oil facilities this weekend.

The US government reportedly believes Iran carried out Saturday’s attacks against an Aramco facility in Abiqaiq along the Arabian Gulf using cruise missiles and drones launched from inside Iran.

In recent weeks, the Trump administration has again called on China to crack down on a major supplier of dual-use nuclear technology to Iran amid increased fears about Tehran’s compliance with nonproliferation deals. The arrest of the Chinese businessman behind the sales has long been sought by the United States.

“I would say just globally we’ve seen a growth in capability for cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles,” Undersecretary of Defense for Policy John Rood said at an event today when asked about the weekend attacks. “We are giving more time and attention to it.”