China’s reported sale of shoulder-launched missile systems to Iran should be concerning not just to the United States but also to Australia and other major powers in the Indo-Pacific. Russia is an active party aiding Iran in a variety of ways, even though it has its hands full with its ill-advised invasion of Ukraine. The missile systems could help Iran rebuild short-range air defences, which have been severely degraded after five months of US–Israeli military strikes. In September 2022, Iran supplied Shahed drones to Russia for its war in Ukraine. Chinese and Russian assistance to Iran could have serious effects on Middle Eastern security dynamics, including potentially prolonging the war in Iran.