TEHRAN, Feb 25, 2026: Iran is reportedly close to finalising a deal with China for the purchase of advanced CM-302 anti-ship cruise missiles.
These supersonic missiles are designed to evade shipborne defences by flying low and fast, significantly enhancing Iran's strike capabilities and posing a threat to US naval forces in the region.
Negotiations for the missile systems accelerated following the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran in June, with senior Iranian officials visiting China.
The potential sale would contravene a United Nations weapons embargo and signals deepening military ties between China and Iran, complicating US efforts to curb Iran's nuclear and missile programmes.
While China's Foreign Ministry denied knowledge of the talks, the White House referenced U.S. President Donald Trump's firm stance on Iran, amidst a US military build-up in the region.
Reuters reports that negotiations with China to buy the missile weapons systems, which began at least two years ago, accelerated sharply after the 12‑day war between Israel and Iran in June, according to the six people with knowledge of the talks, including three officials who were briefed by the Iranian government as well as three security officials.
As talks entered their final stages last summer, senior Iranian military and government officials travelled to China, including Massoud Oraei, Iran’s deputy defence minister, according to two of the security officials. Oraei’s visit has not been previously reported.
“It’s a complete gamechanger if Iran has supersonic capability to attack ships in the area,” said Danny Citrinowicz, a former Israeli intelligence officer and now senior Iran researcher at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies think tank. “These missiles are very difficult to intercept.”
Why Iran is buying these missles?
To strengthen its naval strike and deterrence capability
Iran’s existing anti-ship systems (like the Noor and Ghadir) are largely subsonic and less advanced. The CM-302 flies at supersonic speeds and very low altitude, making it much harder for modern ship defenses to detect and destroy. Its range (about 290 km) would allow Tehran to threaten large warships or vessels in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman from coastal launch sites. This fits Tehran’s longstanding asymmetric defense doctrine, which prioritises denying stronger adversaries freedom of movement at sea.
As a response to heightened U.S. naval presence
The reported negotiations come as the United States has deployed a substantial naval force—including aircraft carriers—close to Iranian waters amid rising tensions and threats of military action. Iranian officials see such advanced missiles as a way to raise the military costs for any adversary contemplating strikes or intervention. Acquiring CM-302 is thus partly about deterrence and balancing power at sea.
To replenish and modernise after recent conflicts
Iran’s missile inventories were strained by recent hostilities, including the 12-day war with Israel in June 2025. Analysts say this purchase would significantly upgrade Tehran’s depleted arsenal with one of the most capable anti-ship systems available, thereby improving its defensive and offensive posture in key maritime chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz.
At a time of intense diplomatic pressure over its nuclear and missile programmes, Iran seeks to project an image of resilience and self-reliance. Procuring advanced foreign weapons—even under international scrutiny or sanctions—serves both real battlefield objectives and symbolic signaling to rivals that Tehran will not be easily contained.
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