US intelligence indicates China preparing weapons shipment to Iran: Report

US ‌intelligence indicates ​China is  preparing to deliver new air defense systems to Iran  within the next few weeks, CNN ​reported ⁠late on Friday, citing three  people familiar with recent intelligence assessments.

The network said ⁠there ‌are indications that Beijing is working to route  the shipments  ‌through third countries to  mask ⁠their origin.

The US State Department, White House ‌and the Chinese embassy ‌in Washington did not ‌immediately respond to ‌Reuters requests for comment.

Beijing is preparing to transfer shoulder-fired anti-air missile systems ⁠known as ⁠MANPADs, CNN said, citing sources it did not name.

The US and Iran are set to hold high-level negotiations on Saturday in ​Pakistan's capital Islamabad, seeking ​ways to ​end their six-week-old war.