China Sells Iran Arms, Aspin Says

Representative Les Aspin (D-Wis.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, charged in a speech Friday that China is selling arms to Iran through a government agency headed by a son-in-law of Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping.

“We’re not talking about Silkworm missiles,” Aspin said. “We’re talking about artillery shells, mortar rounds, anti-tank weaponry, and perhaps even aircraft.” Aspin said the sales continue because of “China’s appetite for cash and . . . probably empire-building by Deng’s son-in-law.”

Iran has put Silkworm missiles at the Strait of Hormuz near the entrance to the Persian Gulf. China has repeatedly denied that it is selling Silkworms directly to Iran and has said it has taken steps to prevent third parties from reselling Silkworms to Iran. Aspin called China’s public statements about the missiles “flimflam.”