Overview
- Reuters cites six people saying the CM-302 sale is near completion, with no delivery date, quantities or price set and no public confirmation from Beijing.
- The supersonic, low-flying CM-302 has an estimated 290 km range, and weapons experts say it would markedly boost Iran’s ability to threaten large warships.
- Negotiations began at least two years ago and sped up after the June 2025 12-day Israel–Iran war, with Deputy Defence Minister Massoud Oraei traveling to China as talks advanced.
- The United States has positioned carrier groups centered on USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford near Iran, and President Donald Trump on Feb. 19 gave Tehran 10 days to reach a nuclear deal or face tougher action.
- A confirmed transfer would violate a UN arms embargo reimposed in September 2025, and sources say Iran is also discussing additional Chinese systems such as surface-to-air, anti-ballistic and anti-satellite weapons.