As of February 24, 2026, reports indicate that Iran is in the final stages of a deal with China to acquire advanced CM-302 supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles. These negotiations, which have been ongoing for at least two years, accelerated sharply following a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran in June 2025.
Key Details of the Reported Agreement
- The Missile: The CM-302 is an export version of China’s YJ-12, designed to fly low and fast at supersonic speeds to evade shipborne defenses.
- Operational Range: It has a reported range of approximately 290 kilometers (180 miles).
- Status: Sources familiar with the talks state the deal is “near completion,” though a specific delivery date has not yet been confirmed.
- Strategic Context: The deal emerges as the United States assembles massive naval forces near Iran—including the aircraft carriers USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford—amid rising nuclear tensions.
Broader Military Cooperation
Beyond the CM-302, Iran is reportedly pursuing several other advanced Chinese systems to replenish an arsenal depleted by recent conflicts:
- Air Defenses: Iran has reportedly already received HQ-9B surface-to-air missile systems from China in exchange for oil shipments.
- Additional Systems: Discussions are ongoing for man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS), anti-ballistic missiles, and anti-satellite technology.
- Russian Deals: This coincides with a separate €500 million agreement with Russia for thousands of shoulder-fired missiles and the delivery of Mi-28NE Night Hunter attack helicopters.
Experts describe the acquisition of supersonic anti-ship capability as a “gamechanger” that could significantly complicate U.S. naval operations in the Persian Gulf.