China Denies Reports Chipmaker SMIC Sent Tools to Iran

China's Foreign Ministry denied reports that its leading chipmaker SMIC sent chipmaking tools to Iran.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian described the claims as "false information" during a regular briefing on Friday. He said Beijing had reviewed the reports and determined them to be untrue and misleading.

The denial follows a Reuters report citing two senior U.S. officials who alleged that SMIC supplied chipmaking equipment to Iran's military. The officials claimed the shipments may still be ongoing and included technical training.

SMIC, China's largest semiconductor manufacturer, has faced U.S. sanctions since 2020 over alleged ties to the Chinese military and concerns about its contributions to Beijing's semiconductor capabilities.

Lin Jian's statement addresses potential disruptions to China-Iran relations amid ongoing U.S. efforts to curb technology transfers that could bolster Iran's military programs. The Chinese spokesman did not provide further details on the review process or specific evidence refuting the allegations.

The reports have raised concerns in Washington about evasion of sanctions on entities linked to Iran's defense sector. SMIC was added to the U.S. Entity List in 2020, restricting its access to American technology and equipment.