Beijing Delivers a Blow to Tel Aviv? Iran Unveils Chinese J-10C Fighter in Major Military Upgrade

According to Saed News, a new report from the Instagram page of BRICS News has set off speculation about a significant shift in Middle Eastern military dynamics. The account claimed on Friday that Iran has received its first Chengdu J-10C multirole fighter jet from China—an advanced aircraft equipped with AESA radar and PL-15 beyond-visual-range missiles.

If verified, the arrival of the J-10C would mark a major step forward in Tehran’s air combat capabilities. The J-10C is considered one of the most modern jets in the Chinese arsenal, boasting enhanced situational awareness, electronic warfare systems, and long-range precision munitions. Military analysts suggest that such an upgrade could narrow the technological gap between Iran’s aging fleet and Israel’s U.S.-supplied F-35 stealth fighters.

The BRICS News post described the Chinese jet as a “nightmare” for Israeli F-35s, though no official confirmation has yet emerged from Iranian or Chinese defense ministries. Nevertheless, the claim arrives amid deepening military ties between Beijing and Tehran, as well as Iran’s growing alignment with BRICS nations.

While the precise number of jets transferred remains unknown, the report has already sparked intense commentary across Persian-language media and defense circles. If substantiated, this development could signify not only an escalation in regional military deterrence but also a further erosion of U.S. strategic influence in West Asia.