Iran Nears Deal to Acquire Chinese CM-302 Supersonic Missiles
In February 2026, multiple international news outlets reported that Iran is close to finalizing an agreement to purchase **CM-302 supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles from China**. The reported negotiations involve senior Iranian military officials and have been underway for at least two years, with talks accelerating after a brief conflict between Israel and Iran in June 2025. The potential deal has drawn attention due to rising tensions in the Middle East and increased U.S. naval deployments near Iranian waters.
The CM-302, sometimes described as the export variant of China’s YJ-12 missile family, is a **supersonic anti-ship missile** capable of flying at high speed and low altitude with a range of several hundred kilometers. Military analysts say such a system could pose challenges to naval defenses because of its speed and evasion characteristics. At the time of reporting, no delivery date had been agreed and neither the Iranian nor Chinese governments publicly confirmed that a transfer had occurred.
Discussions about the prospective purchase have occurred in the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Iran, and other regional actors. The reported negotiations also include possible Iranian interest in other Chinese-made military systems. Chinese officials at the foreign ministry have publicly denied awareness of the deal, and U.S. officials have not confirmed any transfer of missiles. International observers continue to monitor the situation as it develops.
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