Iran Nears Deal to Acquire Chinese Supersonic Anti-Ship Missiles Amid U.S. Naval Presence

Iran is nearing a deal with China to acquire CM-302 supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, which have a range of about 290 kilometers and are designed to evade shipborne defenses by flying low and fast. Negotiations, ongoing for at least two years, accelerated after a June conflict between Israel and Iran. Senior Iranian officials, including Deputy Defence Minister Massoud Oraei, have visited China as talks reached final stages. Experts say the missiles would significantly enhance Iran's naval strike capabilities and pose a threat to U.S. forces amid heightened regional tensions and U.S. naval deployments near Iran. Details on delivery timelines, quantities, and financial terms remain undisclosed, and China has not officially confirmed the deal.