Iran is close to sealing a deal with China to buy CM 302 supersonic anti ship cruise missiles, according to six people familiar with the negotiations. The talks have gained urgency as the United States deploys a large naval force near Iran ahead of possible military strikes.
The CM 302 missiles have a range of about 290 kilometres and are designed to fly low and fast to evade ship defences. Two weapons experts said their deployment would significantly boost Iran’s ability to target warships and would pose a new threat to U.S. naval forces in the region.
Negotiations began at least two years ago but accelerated after the 12 day war between Israel and Iran in June. As discussions entered their final phase last summer, senior Iranian military and government officials, including deputy defence minister Massoud Oraei, travelled to China to push the talks forward.
It is not yet clear how many missiles Iran intends to buy, how much it will pay, or whether China will ultimately complete the sale given rising tensions. An Iranian foreign ministry official said Tehran has military and security agreements with allies and now is the right time to use them.
China’s foreign ministry said it was not aware of the reported missile talks when asked for comment. The White House did not address the negotiations directly but a U.S. official quoted President Donald Trump as saying that either a deal will be reached with Iran or Washington will take very tough action similar to previous strikes.
Any transfer of CM 302 missiles would be among the most advanced Chinese weapons systems supplied to Iran and would defy a United Nations arms embargo first imposed in 2006. That embargo was lifted in 2015 under the nuclear deal and then reimposed last September.
Analysts say the potential sale highlights deepening military cooperation between China and Iran and China’s growing willingness to assert itself in a region long dominated by U.S. power. China, Iran and Russia already hold regular joint naval exercises, and U.S. authorities have previously sanctioned Chinese entities accused of aiding Iran’s missile programme.
China’s state owned firm CASIC markets the CM 302 as one of the world’s most capable anti ship missiles, able to destroy aircraft carriers, destroyers and land targets, and to be launched from ships, aircraft or mobile ground launchers. A defence researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said the missiles would significantly strengthen an Iranian arsenal weakened by last year’s conflict.
Iran is also in separate talks to buy other Chinese air defence systems, including surface to air missiles, man portable air defence systems, anti ballistic weapons and anti satellite capabilities, the six sources said.
The missile talks are unfolding as the United States builds up its forces near Iran, including the aircraft carriers USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford with their strike groups, together carrying more than 5,000 personnel and around 150 aircraft. Trump has given Iran 10 days to reach a nuclear agreement or face potential military action and U.S. planners are preparing for operations that could last weeks if ordered.
One official briefed on the negotiations said Iran has become a battleground where the U.S. faces Russia and China. An Israeli specialist on Iran added that Beijing does not want a pro Western government in Tehran and prefers to see the current regime remain in power.
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