A vessel carrying 1,000 tonnes of sodium perchlorate, a chemical integral to solid rocket propellant, has docked at Bandar Abbas, Iran, suggesting that the country may be resuming missile production after attacks on its facilities last year. The ship, Golbon, departed from Taicang, China, three weeks prior, with the shipment designed to produce propellant for around 260 Kheibar Shekan or 200 Haj Qasem missiles, as per European intelligence sources.
This delivery signifies a potential revival of Iran’s missile capabilities amidst regional setbacks for its allies. Some analysts previously estimated that it would take Iran about a year to recover its propellant production following recent strikes. The sodium perchlorate was procured by Iran’s Self Sufficiency Jihad Organisation, responsible for its ballistic missile development.
While the shipment does not breach Western sanctions, the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, which operates both the Golbon and an upcoming vessel, Jairan, is under US and UK sanctions for its ties to Iran’s military activities. China’s involvement underscores its role as a crucial ally for Iran, despite broader international scrutiny.
Experts note that sodium perchlorate can be converted into ammonium perchlorate—a substance with stricter controls—indicating its significance for military and space applications.