Cargo vessels carrying missile propellant ingredients set sail

In a significant development in missile proliferation concerns, two Iranian cargo ships are reportedly en route to transport sodium perchlorate—a critical ingredient for missile propellants—from China to Iran. The revelation, reported by the Financial Times on Wednesday, is based on intelligence from security officials in two Western countries.

The Iranian-flagged vessels, identified as the Golbon and the Jairan, are expected to carry over 1,000 tonnes of sodium perchlorate. This chemical is a precursor to ammonium perchlorate, the key component in solid missile propellant.

Global concerns over missile proliferation

Ammonium perchlorate is classified under the Missile Technology Export Control Regime (MTCR), a voluntary international framework aimed at curbing the proliferation of missile-related technologies. Officials cited in the Financial Times estimate that the sodium perchlorate shipment could yield 960 tonnes of ammonium perchlorate, sufficient to manufacture 1,300 tonnes of propellant—enough to fuel approximately 260 mid-range ballistic missiles.

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According to the report, the cargo is destined for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The Golbon reportedly departed the Chinese island of Daishan on Tuesday with 34 containers of the chemical, while the Jairan is scheduled to leave in early February with 22 containers.

Both vessels are expected to complete their three-week journeys to Iran’s Bandar Abbas port in the Persian Gulf without making intermediate stops.

Tracking the shipments

Vessel tracking data from Marine Traffic confirms that the Golbon spent several days near Daishan Island before departing, while the Jairan was last recorded 75 kilometers south of Daishan, off the coast of Ningbo in Zhejiang province.

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The Financial Times report highlights uncertainty over Beijing’s awareness of the shipments, which raises questions about China’s compliance with international non-proliferation norms.

U.S. sanctions and previous actions

This development comes amidst heightened scrutiny of Iran’s missile program. In 2023, the United States imposed sanctions on individuals and entities in China, Hong Kong, and Iran for allegedly aiding Iran’s ballistic missile program. These measures targeted key facilitators, including Iran’s defense attaché in Beijing.

Last July, Washington also sanctioned five individuals and seven entities linked to Iran’s missile and drone programs, emphasizing the global reach of Iran’s procurement networks.

Strategic implications

The shipment of missile propellant ingredients underscores the growing complexity of countering proliferation activities. It also highlights the challenges in enforcing international export controls, as nations like Iran continue to exploit global supply chains to advance their military capabilities.

As the Iranian ships make their way to Iran, the international community will be watching closely, given the broader implications for regional stability and global security.