China denies report that it will be sending defensive missile launchers to Iran

China’s foreign ministry on Thursday denied a report from Reuters that said Beijing is set to help Iran defend itself in its war with the U.S. 

Reuters report on Wednesday said that Iran is expected to receive a shipment of up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defense missile launchers, and that they would be transferred through Pakistan. 

“China has made its position clear on relevant issues on multiple occasions. The report is not true and has no factual ground at all. China always works for peace and the end of the conflict,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Thursday, according to Fox News. 

President Donald Trump responded to the Reuters report on Wednesday, saying, "That would be surprising. I mean, things like that happen, but that would be surprising." 

Trump added that if it were true, it would be a violation of a commitment Chinese President Xi Jinping had made during high-level discussions. 

"[Xi] told me very strongly he wouldn't partake. and he knows I'd be quite disappointed."