Let's talk about China arming Iran and Trump's claims getting shot down.... - Belle of the Ranch

Well, howdy there Internet people. It's Belle again. So, today we're going to talk about China arming Iran and Trump's claims getting shot down.

The Trump administration has gone to great lengths to try to convince the American people that Iran has been defeated militarily. In March, Hegseth said, "Iran has no air defenses. Iran has no air force. Iran has no navy.”

In an April 16th release, Hegseth talked tough to Iran, saying, "You are digging out your remaining launchers and missiles with no ability to replace them. You have no defense industry, no ability to replenish your offensive or defensive capabilities."

We've already reported on Iran replenishing their air defenses through China. And less than 24 hours after this release, reporting broke that Iran is also looking to replenish and supplement their air defenses through newer advanced radar systems. The reporting comes from intelligence assessments made prior to Hegseth's statements.

While his rhetoric may play well to his base here at home, it's casting the image internationally of the US being incompetent and the Secretary of Defense not being aware of potential major international defense equipment transfers. This emboldens US opposition and creates a situation where the perceived risk of hitting US forces is lower because the perception is that SecDef doesn't know what he's doing. The cool sound bites with fake information for his base are putting US forces at very real risk. As Marcelus Wallace would say, pride only hurts. It never helps.

The newest information says that China is looking at providing Iran with X-band radar systems. I'll put a link below if you want to read about the various Chinese systems, but the summary is that the systems in question will drastically improve Iran's ability to counter drones and cruise missiles. Some of the systems also enhance their targeting ability.

This is on top of the recent news that suggests China is looking to replenish Iran's air defenses by providing MANPADS, which are man portable air defenses.

Cooperation between Iran and China isn't new. It's well documented and has been in unclassified reports for years. This, like many things, should have been planned for before Trump decided to start an elective war.

When asked about it, Hegseth said, "President Trump has a very strong and direct relationship with President Xi, and they've communicated on that, and China has assured us that that indeed is not going to happen."

That's adorable. They're such good friends, and Trump is just so respected.

Anyway, here in the real world, the belief is that the weapons will be routed through a third country to give China plausible deniability when it comes to supplying Iran. You know, the tactic used by countries for centuries to obscure their involvement in a conflict so they can provide assurances that they aren't supplying a belligerent. Assurances like the one Trump appears to have fallen for.

It looks like the billion spent by Trump in the US campaign to topple Iran may just end up forcing an upgrade of their military capabilities.

Anyway, it's just a thought. Y'all have a good day.