China–Iran Missile Talks Deepen as US Builds Naval Pressure
News Desk/Reuters
Tehran: China’s expanding strategic footprint in the Middle East has come into sharper focus as Tehran moves closer to acquiring advanced anti-ship missiles from Beijing, according to multiple officials familiar with the negotiations, a development unfolding alongside a major US naval build-up near Iran.
Sources with knowledge of the talks say Iran is nearing a deal to purchase the Chinese-made CM-302 supersonic anti-ship cruise missile, a system capable of flying low and fast to evade shipborne defences.
While no delivery timeline has been finalised, the agreement is described as being in advanced stages after negotiations that began at least two years ago accelerated following last year’s brief but intense conflict between Israel and Iran.
If completed, the transfer would mark one of the most sophisticated pieces of Chinese military hardware supplied to Iran, signalling deepening defence ties between the two countries at a moment of heightened regional tension.
Analysts say the missiles, with a reported range of about 290 kilometres, would significantly expand Iran’s ability to threaten naval assets operating in the Gulf and nearby waters.
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The prospective sale comes as the United States reinforces its military presence in the region. The aircraft carriers USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford, along with their strike groups, are being positioned within range of Iran, underscoring Washington’s readiness amid an escalating standoff over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran faces a narrow window to reach a new nuclear understanding or risk military consequences. American officials have indicated preparations are under way for sustained operations should diplomacy fail.
For Beijing, the negotiations highlight its willingness to play a more assertive role in a region historically dominated by US military power.
During a recent visit by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Chinese President Xi Jinping publicly backed Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, remarks widely interpreted as a signal of political alignment.
The CM-302 missile is produced by the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, which promotes the system as capable of targeting large surface vessels and land-based installations.
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Defence researchers say such a capability would bolster Iran’s deterrence posture, particularly after what some analysts describe as attrition of its arsenal during last year’s fighting.
Beyond anti-ship missiles, sources indicate Iran is also discussing the potential acquisition of Chinese surface-to-air systems, man-portable air defence weapons and other advanced technologies, moves that could further complicate Western efforts to constrain Tehran’s missile and nuclear ambitions.
Whether the deal proceeds amid mounting international scrutiny remains uncertain. But the negotiations alone underscore a shifting geopolitical landscape: as Washington intensifies pressure on Tehran, Beijing appears increasingly prepared to anchor its influence in Iran’s long-term security architecture.
