In March 1988, China agreed to stop supplying Iran with HY-2 missiles, though it is reported that supply continued into 1989.
In this way, if anything leaked out about the deal, the Americans could claim they were not supplying Iran directly.
And who would stand to gain, apart from the nation supplying Iran with Sunburn missiles?
Russia has been supplying Iran with the material and expertise to build a nuclear power plant at Bushehr.
"We can't stop Russia from supplying Iran!"
Austrian companies supplied Iran with high-tech equipment for its nuclear program.
The Chinese are also reported to be supplying Pakistan and Iran with missiles or missile-making technology.
The technology transfers flow from Russia's lucrative contracts to supply Iran with a nuclear power reactor and advanced conventional weapons.
The following year a secret Israeli government report expressed concerns about intelligence suggesting Venezuela supplied Iran with uranium for its nuclear program.
Russia has been supplying Iran with scientists and matériel to build nuclear warheads on missiles.