Iran's air force commander in Beijing, China

IRIAF Commander Brig. Gen. Hassan Shah-Safi (L) with PLAAF Commander Gen. Ma Xiaotian (R), on 01NOV15 in Beijing, China.

IRIAF Commander Brig. Gen. Hassan Shah-Safi on 01NOV15 arrived with an Iranian military delegation at Beijing, China, upon invitation of PLAAF Commander General Ma Xiaotian.

During his four-day visit Shah-Safi will reportedly tour China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC), as well as Nanjing Research Institute of Electronics Technology (NRIET).

Shah-Safi on 04NOV15 is scheduled to meet with PLAAF Gen. Xu Qiliang, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the Communist Party of China.

The Iranian delegation on 05NOV15 plans to tour PLAAF 19th Fighter Division at Jinan, and the Air Force Engineering Faculty at Xi'an. Additionally, there are plans to tour Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC) and Xi'an Flight Automatic Control Research Institute (FACRI).

COMMENTARY: There are indications PRC and IRI are to engage in renewed military hardware and technology transfers, following the implementation of JCPOA and subsequent repeal of sanctions.

It is further expected Iran will become a member of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), that includes a military dimension. From the perspective of SCO members, current challenges include conflict at Ukraine, and a territorial dispute on the South China Sea. Iran, as a regional power, may be seen in this context as potentially contributing towards a balance of power relative to the U.S.-led security order.

Members of the Iranian military delegation with their Chinese counterparts, on 01NOV15 in Beijing

IRIAF Commander Brig. Gen. Hassan Shah-Safi with military delegation upon their arrival at Beijing. By the setting and personal  appearance, it's likely they travelled by means of Iranian commercial carrier flight.

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency 

China's deputy chief of staff meets with IRIN and IRGC in Tehran

PLAN Admiral Sun Jianguo with IRIN Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, on 14OCT15 in Tehran

According to Reuters:

China wants to deepen military ties with Iran, a senior Chinese admiral was quoted as saying on Thursday after a meeting with Iran's defense minister in Tehran.

Admiral Sun Jianguo, deputy chief of staff of the People's Liberation Army, told Iranian Defence Minister Hossein Dehghan that China paid great attention to developing relations with Iran, China's Defence Ministry said.

"The aim of this delegation's visit is to further promote friendship, deepen cooperation and exchange views with Iran on bilateral military ties and issues of mutual concern," Sun said, according to the statement.

The trip will also "promote the preservation of international and regional peace and stability", he added.

COMMENTARY: As seen in this post's photos, PLAN Admiral Sun Jianguo, who is Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army, met with IRIN Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari and his staff of naval officers.

Sayyari stated that Iran and China have agreed to increase collaboration in educational and technical training centers. He further stated the Chinese deputy chief of staff discussed and agreed upon the issue of providing security and safety for merchant shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and South East Asia. [source: Mashregh News]

PLAN Admiral Sun Jianguo with IRGC Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Armed Forces General Staff Intelligence and Operations Deputy, on 14OCT15 in Tehran.

COMMENTARY: PLAN Admiral Sun Jianguo  also met with IRGC Major General Mohammad Bagheri. Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff Intelligence and Operations Deputy said that the two discussed measures to strengthen bilateral defense relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and People's Republic of China. [source: Defa Press]

IRGC Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Armed Forces General Staff Intelligence and Operations Deputy

PLAN Admiral Sun Jianguo, deputy chief of staff of the People's Liberation Army

Chinese and Iranian military conference held on 14OCT15 in Tehran

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency

Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif in Beijing, China

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, on 15SEP15 at Beijing

According to Islamic Republic News Agency:

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif leading a delegation arrived in Beijing Monday night to confer with the country's high ranking officials on issues of mutual interests along with regional and global developments.

This is the first visit of the head of Iran's diplomacy to China after the nuclear deal with G5+1.

Upon his arrival, Zarif was welcomed with the officials at the Chinese foreign ministry and Iran's Ambassador to Beining Ali Asqar Khani.

According to Reuters:

Iran wants China's help to resolve tensions and unrest in the Middle East and is ready to play host to more Chinese firms once sanctions against it are lifted, Iran's foreign minister said on Tuesday

"China and Iran find mutual benefits in many areas," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, at the beginning of a meeting in Beijing.

China is the biggest customer of Iranian oil and Zarif said their economies were "complementary". The two countries faced "similar challenges as well as opportunities", he said

"I agreed with Minister Wang Yi that we share similar views on regional issues, which should be solved in a political way. We would like to cooperate with China on issues in Yemen, Syria and the Middle East, seeking a political solution," he said.

"We both agree that the unrest in West Asia and North Africa regions is not sustainable, it should be solved in a political way and we should seek a solution that can address the concerns of different parties," Wang said.

COMMENTARY: Following the signing of JCPOA in Vienna, Zarif has undertaken diplomatic trips to Syria, Lebanon, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Russia and now China.

While in Tehran, Zarif has received high ranking officials from France, Italy, United Kingdom, Austria, Syria, Iraq and Brazil.

Islamic Republic and People's Republic foreign ministries in conference, on 15SEP15 at Beijing

Zarif upon his arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). Aircraft is Islamic Republic of Iran Government Airbus A321-231, reg. EP-AGB (cn 1202). Flight details provided below (source: Flightradar24):

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency

Iran Accounts for $86 Billion Unblocked under JCPOA

Frozen Cash Previously Estimated at More than $100 Billion

Central Bank of Iran Governor Valliollah Seif told state TV on Saturday that JCPOA, the nuclear agreement with world powers, would only unlock $29 billion in Iranian assets in overseas banks. (IRIB, 25 July)

Iran had previously said more than $100 billion of its foreign exchange funds were blocked in overseas banks due to U.S. and EU sanctions, an estimate widely accepted by outside experts. Seif added, however, that out of the total assets held overseas, $35 billion is already allocated for oil projects and $22 billion will be held in Chinese banks as security deposit guarantee for buying goods from China.

The sum of the three figures disclosed by CBI governor, the $29 billion available plus $35 billion earmarked for oil projects and $22 billion kept in China, if all accurate, adds up to $86 billion. Based on the more than $100 billion in total assets frozen, CBI estimates leave more than $14 billion unaccounted for.

It was not clear if Iran has also earmarked part of the foreign exchange that would be available under JCPOA to its military interventions in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, as it has done the same for its future oil projects. And if the cash unaccounted for could be allocated to those foreign operations beyond the current budget.

China FM Pushes Iran on Nuclear Deal

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said today during a visit to Tehran that a nuclear deal would help Iran escape from sanctions and allow more efforts to be spent on economic development.

“Talks on the Iran nuclear issue face a historic opportunity, and striking a comprehensive deal on schedule is the trend of the times and the desire of the people,” Wang said in a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement issued on Monday local time. (Reuters, 16 February)

“Reaching comprehensive agreement is beneficial to Iran upholding its own legal rights, including the right to the peaceful use of nuclear power, and for the people of Iran to throw off the difficulties of sanctions as early as possible and focus on energetically developing the economy,” Wang added.

File photo: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, 2 February 2015 (Reuters)

Iran Navy commander meets China's defense minister in Beijing

 

Above: Commander of Iran Navy Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari with China Defense Minister General Chang Wanquan in Beijing, dated 23OCT14 .

 According to Xinhua via Ministry of National Defense The People's Republic of China:

Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan on Thursday met with visiting Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari on naval cooperation.

Chang said the two armed forces have seen good cooperation on mutual visits, personnel training and other fields in recent years. Exchanges between the two navies have been fruitful and their warships have paid successful visits to each other.

Chang, also a state councilor, stressed China is willing to work with Iran to further pragmatic cooperation and strengthen military-to-military ties.

Praising the achievements of the Chinese Navy, Sayyari said Iran attaches great importance to its relationship with China and is ready to enhance bilateral exchanges to push forward cooperation between the two armed forces, especially in naval cooperation.

COMMENTARY: According to DefaPress, IRIN Commander Rear Admiral Sayyari visited the North Sea Fleet Headquarters at Qingdao Naval Base on the second leg of his China trip, aimed at strengthening military ties and bilateral cooperation between Tehran and Beijing.

China's People's Liberation Army Daily separately reported that Sayyari had been given tours of a Chinese submarine and warships, where he "listened to an introduction on equipment ability and weapons systems". [source: Reuters]

North Sea Fleet (NSF) includes Jianggezhuang Nuclear Submarine Base, home to five Type 091 Han class attack submarines and China's single Type 092 Xia class ballistic missile submarine.

As reported by UOI, earlier in the week Rear Admiral Sayyari met with Commander of Shanghai Naval Base Senior Captain Wang Yung, of the East Sea Fleet (ESF).

File photo: PLAN Type 092 (406) Xia class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN)

Iran Navy commander tours Shanghai Naval Base

Above: Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari and his host Senior Captain Wang Yung at Shanghai Naval Base

According to Irib.ir:

Iran's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari and Shanghai Naval Base Commander Wang Yung stressed the vital importance of the expansion of Tehran-Beijing military cooperation for the reestablishment of sustainable peace and tranquility to the region.

Sayyari, who is in China at the invitation of the Chinese Navy, paid a visit to the Shanghai naval base on Monday afternoon.

The Commander of the Shanghai Base welcomed Rear Admiral Sayyari and the accompanying delegation, and called the visit unique in the history of military-naval cooperation between the two countries.

He said that this is the first ever visit of an Iranian Navy commander to China and called it a turning point in bilateral naval ties.

Rear Admiral Sayyari, for his part, referred to historical background of bilateral ties in the naval ground and stressed that promotion of friendly cooperation between the two forces has special importance for Iran.

He expressed the hope that his visit to China would pave grounds for bilateral cooperation between the two naval forces.

Sayyari arrived in China on Monday morning to confer with senior Chinese military officials on the expansion of Tehran-Beijing military relations.

A high-ranking military delegation is accompanying Admiral Sayyari in his trip.

COMMENTARY: Observing an increasing uptick in official naval visits taking place among the Iran Navy and PLA Navy, as well as Iran Navy and Russian Navy. Military exchanges include:

- 19DEC12, Russian Navy vessel docks at Iran's port city of Bandar Abbas

- 21APR13, Russian Navy vessels dock at Iran's port city of Bandar Abbas

- 04MAY13, Iranian Navy vessels dock at China's port city of Zhangjiagang

- 30JUN13, Iran Navy vessels dock at Russia's port city of Astrakhan

- 20OCT13, Official visit to Iran by by Russian Air Force Commander

- 07MAY14, Official visit to China by Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan

- 23MAY14, Official visit to Russia by Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan

- 20SEP14, Chinese Navy vessels dock at Iran's port city of Bandar Abbas

- 13OCT14, Russian Navy vessels dock at Iran's port city of Bandar Anzali

- 20OCT14, Iran Navy commander visits Shanghai Naval Base

Senior Captain Wang Yung presents gift to Rear Admiral Sayyari at Shanghai Naval Base

Photos: Fars News Agency

China’s Increase in Iran Oil Imports Push Exports to 1.3 Million bpd

China’s imports of Iranian crude in May rose 36 percent compared to last year, hitting a near record 750,000 barrels per day. China is Iran’s largest oil customer, and its growing imports has pushed the volume of Iran’s oil exports to an average of 1.3 million bpd in the first six months of the year, an increase over last year’s mark of 1 million bpd. (Reuters/Tehran Times, 24 June)

Top Chinese refiner Sinopec Corp has been buying more of Iranian crude, which is offered at cheaper prices than those of similar grades from Saudi Arabia, industry officials have told Reuters. The easing of sanctions environment has also played a role in the increases, Reuters noted.

File photo: Iran’s oil export terminal at Kharg Island (Getty Images)

Iran Defense Minister Dehghan in China

 

Above: PRC Defense Minister Chang Wanquan (center) and IRI Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan (right) inspect a PRC honor guard preceding talks in Beijing, May 5, 2014  [Xinhua]

According to Tasnim News Agency:

China wants closer defense ties with Iran, Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan said during a Monday meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Dehqan, in Beijing.

Chang said the development of bilateral relations has remained positive and steady, featuring frequent high-level exchanges and deepened political mutual trust, Xinhua reported.

Witnessing increased mutual visits and personnel training cooperation between the armed forces, Chang said he is confident that the friendly relations between the two countries as well as the armed forces will be reinforced.

This is Dehqan's first visit to China since he took office. He voiced the hope that the two countries would continue to play a positive role in safeguarding regional peace and stability.

Dehqan arrived in Beijing on Sunday at the invitation of Chang, starting a four-day official visit to China.

It's a near certainty the subject of militant Salafi terrorism has been a topic of discussion between Iranian Defense Minister Dehghan and Chinese Defense Minister Chang.

China has a recent history of being subjected to terrorism by Al-Qaeda backed Xinjiang militants, while Iran supports efforts against Al-Qaeda linked fighters in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.

Chinese manufactured metro trains arrive, bound for Shiraz

Chinese manufactured metro trains arrive in-port, destined for Shiraz

Unreported as to whether these trains are part of the barter for oil deal heard about last June

Reported metro train type in finished form at the Chinese manufacturer

Photos: Shiraz1400.ir

Rouhani Meets Chinese President Xi Jiping

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani just twitted from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on his meeting with China’s Xi Jinping. “There is so much capacity for development of bilateral relations between Iran and China,” twitted Rouhani. He also sent the photo above from the meeting. (@HassanRouhani)

The two presidents and their delegations met in Bishkek today on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit.

Iran's added crude oil tankers from Chinese shipyards

File photo, recent NITC addition: Sunrise (formerly Chun He 120) - IMO 9615092  [shipspotting.com] 

According to the World Tribune (8/9/13):

Iran has taken delivery of new oil supertankers. The National Iranian Tanker Co. has acquired four new supertankers in mid-2013 as part of efforts to maintain the nation’s crude oil export industry.

The supertankers were said to have a capacity of two million barrels each. Iran’s state-owned Press TV said China plans to complete the delivery of the vessels by 2014.

Previously, according to Reuters (2/5/13):

Iran has taken delivery of several new tankers from Chinese shipyards, giving it greater flexibility in maintaining oil exports in the face of Western sanctions.

Since the start of 2013, two supertankers have joined Iran’s trading fleet, with another three new vessels having arrived in recent months, according to industry sources and shipping data. Each vessel has a maximum capacity of 2 million barrels of oil.

With the latest acquisitions, NITC’s supertanker fleet has been boosted to 30 vessels with a maximum carrying capacity of 60 million barrels. It has an additional 14 small crude oil tankers.

The Atlantis and Infinity, the two vessels that joined NITC’s fleet in recent weeks, are part of a $1.2 billion contract with two Chinese shipyards that was ordered in 2009 for 12 new supertankers. The Carnation, Rainbow and Skyline reached NITC last year.

Below is a partial rundown on Iran's recent tanker additions [source: Martime-Connector.com]: 

IMO 9569205 - Carnation - Flag Tanzania (8/2: Persian Gulf 26.96538 / 56.419418, 0.4 kn / 311°)

IMO 9569619 - Rainbow - Flag Tanzania (8/6: Malacca Strait 3.72438 / 99.984009, 14.6 kn / 311°)

IMO 9569669 - Skyline - Flag Tanzania ( NA )

IMO 9569695 - Dew Drop - Flag Tanzania (8/13: N. China coast 38.874668 / 122.0592, 0.2 kn / 319°)

IMO 9569700 - Deniz - Flag Tanzania (8/12: Persian Gulf 26.78751 / 52.76046, 12.5 kn / 300°)

IMO 9569712 - Dusk - Flag Tanzania (7/24: near Singapore 1.230638 / 103.461, 12 kn / 268°)

IMO 9569621 - Atlantis - Flag Tanzania (7/27: near S. India coast 10.23946 / 75.302139, 13.7 kn / 354°)

IMO 9569671 - Infinity - Flag Tanzania (8/13: C. China coast 29.955669 / 121.8143, 0 kn / 17°)

IMO 9569683 - Demos - Flag Tanzania (8/12: Persian Gulf 26.193119 / 54.494492, 13.6 kn / 102°)

IMO 9615092 - Sunrise - Flag Tanzania (7/15: Persian Gulf 26.17207 / 55.367729, 15.1 kn / 58°)

Iran Navy Ships Leave China

Will Soon Dock at Colombo

Iran Navy ships IRINS Sabalan (73) frigate and IRINS Kharg (431) replenishment ship of the 24th Fleet task force today left the Chinese port city of Zhangjiagang, heading for the Strait of Malacca and will soon dock at the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka, the Iranian navy announced today.

“This fleet is still present in the Pacific Ocean but will head for the Strait of Malacca and soon will dock at the Port of Colombo,” said Iran's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari. (IRNA, 7 March)

Adm. Sayyari added that Iran will soon send its ships to the Atlantic Ocean as well.

“Iran’s presence in the Pacific Ocean is a prelude to [Iran’s] presence in the Atlantic Ocean”, said Sayyari.

Photo credit: Captured images from YouTube show IRINS Kharg at port of call Zhangjiagang, China (left) and Iranian naval officers saluting Chinese counterparts boarding the Iranian ship. 

Hong Kong Passes Iran Sanctions Law, Freezes IRISL Assets

Hong Kong has passed laws to comply with UN sanctions against Iran. The new laws that went into effect last Friday include asset freezes on Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and its affiliates. The US had accused 20 shipping firms in the city of ties to IRISL and of fronting Iranian businesses involved in the country's nuclear and missile programs.

Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous Chinese territory, received Beijing's approval to pass the new laws.

"The administration took time to deliberate internally on how best to implement the new and expanded sanctions," the Hong Kong government said in a statement on Wednesday [AFP, 30 March].