US Officials Allege SMIC Supplied Chipmaking Technology to Iran's Military

Two senior US officials alleged that SMIC, China's largest semiconductor manufacturer, began sending chipmaking tools to Iran's military approximately one year prior — with transfers described as 'almost certainly' including technical training. The officials did not specify whether the tools were of US origin, which would constitute a direct violation of US export control and Iran sanctions laws. SMIC has been on the US Entity List since December 2020. If confirmed, the allegations would represent a significant escalation — potentially exposing SMIC to secondary sanctions that could restrict its access to global markets and cut off equipment imports from third countries. Japan Times and Taipei Times were among the first outlets to report the claims. SMIC did not immediately comment.