The agreement to purchase CM-302 missiles manufactured by China is about to be completed, although no specific delivery date has been agreed upon, sources said.
The CM-302 hypersonic missile has a range of about 290km and is designed to avoid the ship's defense system by flying low and fast.
The deployment of supersonic anti-ship missiles manufactured by China will significantly enhance Iran's offensive capabilities and pose a threat to the US navy in the region, said 2 weapons experts.
Iran-China negotiations to buy missiles began at least 2 years ago and accelerated sharply after the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June 2025, according to 6 well-informed sources, including 3 officials announced by the Iranian government and 3 security officials.
When the arms talks entered their final stage last summer, senior Iranian military and government officials arrived in China, including Iranian Deputy Defense Minister Massoud Oraei, said 2 security officials. Mr. Oraei's visit had never been previously reported.
If Iran has the ability to launch hypersonic missiles to attack warships in the area, it will be a complete turning point. These missiles are very difficult to intercept" - Danny Citrinowicz, a former Israeli intelligence officer and currently a senior researcher on Iran at the Israeli National Institute for Security Studies, said.
It is not yet determined how many missiles the agreement between China and Iran includes, the value of the agreement and the timing of supply.
Iran has military and security agreements with allies and now is the right time to take advantage of these agreements," a Iranian Foreign Ministry official said.
The CM-302 missile will be among the most advanced military equipment transferred by China to Iran.
When welcoming Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during a military parade in Beijing in September 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping affirmed, "China supports Iran in protecting its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity".
Information about this arms deal was revealed in the context that the US is gathering a fleet at the offensive range of Iran, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and the combat group. The USS Gerald R. Ford and escort ships are also heading to the Middle East. These two ships can carry a total of more than 5,000 people and 150 aircraft.
President Donald Trump announced on February 19 that he gave Iran 10 days to reach an agreement on the nuclear program or face military action. The US is preparing for the possibility of conducting weeks-long campaigns against Iran if Mr. Trump orders an attack.
