The United States accused SMIC, a Chinese company, of supplying Iran with equipment for producing microchips used in military technology.

SMIC – a Chinese chip manufacturer – has been placed on the Pentagon’s “blacklist”

The Chinese company SMIC (Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp.) was added to the list of prohibited suppliers earlier this decade. This led to sanctions that restrict its sale of equipment with American technology.

New allegations – supplying military equipment to Iran

According to a statement by U.S. officials (source: Reuters), SMIC began supplying Iranian defense organizations with its equipment about a year ago. U.S. authorities currently do not believe these supplies have ceased.

What does cooperation with Iran look like?

The U.S. side claims that as part of joint semiconductor development efforts, China trained Iranian specialists at SMIC’s factories. Exact production sites for the equipment destined for Iran are not specified. If the equipment was made in the United States or used American designs, its shipment to China is considered a violation of sanctions against Iran.

SMIC’s reaction

SMIC has so far not commented on the new allegations. The company has repeatedly denied involvement in activities related to China’s defense industry. In official statements, the Chinese government did not express explicit support for either side of the conflict with Iran; instead, it called for a swift peaceful dialogue.

What the supplies could mean

U.S. officials believe that equipment transferred by China to Iran may have been used to produce electronic components employed in military technology.