Iran Nears Deal for Chinese Anti-Ship Missiles Amid Rising Regional Tensions
New Delhi – As the United States increases its military presence in the Middle East and threats of strikes against Iran escalate, Tehran is reportedly on the verge of finalizing a deal with China to acquire advanced anti-ship cruise missiles. The potential sale, involving the CM-302 missile system, has accelerated following heightened tensions including the recent conflict between Israel and Iran.
Negotiations for the missile deal have been ongoing for two years, but the recent escalation in regional instability has spurred progress, according to reports. The CM-302 is a supersonic missile with a range of approximately 290 kilometers (180 miles), designed to overcome ship-based defense systems through low and fast flight trajectories.
“It’s a complete gamechanger if Iran has the supersonic capability to attack ships in the area. These missiles are very difficult to intercept,” said Danny Citrinowicz, a former Israeli intelligence officer and senior Iran researcher at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies.
The potential acquisition marks a significant upgrade to Iran’s military capabilities, particularly its naval strike power, which has been diminished by recent conflicts. Pieter Wezeman, a senior researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, noted the purchase would represent a substantial improvement to Iran’s arsenal.
China was a major arms supplier to Iran in the 1980s, but that relationship waned in subsequent decades due to international pressure. This potential deal signals a renewed and deepening military partnership between the two nations.
The sale, if completed, would contravene a United Nations arms embargo initially imposed on Iran in 2006, which was lifted briefly under the 2015 nuclear deal and then reimposed in 2018.
China markets the CM-302 as the world’s leading anti-ship missile, capable of disabling or sinking aircraft carriers and destroyers. The system can be deployed from ships, aircraft, or land-based mobile launchers, and can also target land-based assets.
Beyond the CM-302, Iran is also reportedly in discussions to procure Chinese surface-to-air missile systems, including man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), anti-ballistic weapons, and anti-satellite weapons.
The move complicates U.S. efforts to contain Iran’s missile and nuclear programs and positions China as a key player in the region, challenging long-standing U.S. military dominance. Some analysts suggest China’s actions are motivated by a desire to prevent a pro-Western government from taking power in Iran, which would be detrimental to its own strategic interests.
Alessandro Arduino, an affiliate lecturer at King’s College London, suggested the talks themselves may be as strategically valuable as the actual sale, creating uncertainty in U.S. military planning.
The U.S. Treasury Department last year sanctioned Chinese entities for allegedly supplying materials used in Iran’s ballistic missile program, accusations China has denied.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump stated on February 19th that Iran had ten days to reach an agreement regarding its nuclear program or face military action.