China May Have Supplied Iran With Missiles, New York Times Reports; Trump Warns of ‘Big Trouble’

China and Iran have long maintained energy and military ties, while the United States has continued to impose sanctions on Tehran. If Beijing supplies portable air-defense weapons, Iran would gain greater capacity to counter low-flying aircraft and drones. Such a move could also heighten U.S.-China tensions and increase the risk of a broader Middle East conflict. Crypto markets are consequently watching for rising demand for safe-haven assets and whether Bitcoin can hold the $70,000 level.

The New York Times recently reported that China may already have shipped shoulder-launched air-defense missiles to Iran. As of July 20, 2026, officials in China, the United States and Iran had not disclosed the model, quantity or delivery date. U.S. President Donald Trump warned that China would face “big trouble” if it had indeed “crossed the line,” as markets assess whether the development could trigger a fresh selloff in risk assets.