Iran’s reported acquisition of Chinese shoulder-fired air-defense missiles could turn the war’s lower altitudes into a costly battlefield of attrition for US and Israeli airpower. Asia Times reported that Iran signed a $591 million deal in December 2025 for 500 Verba MANPADS launchers and 2,500 missiles, with deliveries scheduled through 2029. Defense Security Asia reported in April 2026 that an Iranian MANPADS struck a US HH-60W rescue helicopter during a mission to recover downed F-15E pilots. China’s reported MANPADS shipment could strengthen Iran’s ability to wage an aerial war of attrition by contesting the lower-altitude battlespace. US airpower may dominate Iran’s upper skies, but Iran could impose the mounting costs to the bombing campaign much closer to the ground.