Iran turns to China, wants a hypersonic missile to try to defend itself against the US fleet

Iran is close to finalizing an agreement with China to acquire anti-ship cruise missiles, according to six sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations, in a context in which United States deploys a naval force significant near the Iranian coast in the face of a possible attack against the Islamic Republic. The agreement, focused on the purchase of Chinese-made CM-302 missiles, is practically closed, although the delivery date has not yet been set. These supersonic missiles, with an approximate range of 290 kilometers, are designed to evade naval defenses by flying at low altitude and high speed, which, according to two weapons experts, would substantially increase Iran’s offensive capacity and would represent a direct threat to US forces in the region.

Negotiations for the acquisition of these systems began at least two years ago, but accelerated after the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June, the six sources indicated, including three officials informed by the Iranian Government and three members of security forces. When the talks entered their final phase last summer, senior Iranian military and government officials, including Massoud Oraei, Iran’s Deputy Defense Minister, traveled to China, according to two security officials. Oraei’s visit had not been previously disclosed.

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“If Iran has supersonic capability to attack ships in the area, that would completely change the rules of the game,” said Danny Citrinowicz, a former Israeli intelligence officer and current senior researcher on Iran at the Institute for National Security Studies in Israel. “These missiles are very difficult to intercept.”

It has not been determined how many missiles the agreement would include, the total amount Iran would pay, nor whether China will finally proceed with the delivery, given the current regional tension. “Iran has military and security agreements with its allies, and now is the right time to make use of them”, indicated to Reuters an official from the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In a comment following the publication, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that it was not aware of the negotiations for a possible sale of missiles reported by Reuters. The Chinese Ministry of Defense did not respond to requests for comment. The White House avoided commenting directly on the talks between Iran and China. US President Donald Trump warned that “either we reach an agreement or we will have to take very tough measures, like the last time,” according to a White House official, alluding to the current confrontation with Iran.

These missiles would represent one of the most advanced military systems that China would transfer to Iran and would challenge the arms embargo of the United Nations (UN) imposed in 2006. The sanctions were suspended in 2015 after the nuclear agreement with the United States and its allies, but were re-established last September.

The possible sale underscores the strengthening of military ties between China and Iran at a time of high regional tension, which would complicate U.S. efforts to contain the Iranian missile program and curb its nuclear activities. It would also demonstrate China’s growing willingness to project influence in a region historically dominated by the U.S. military presence. China, Iran and Russia conduct joint naval exercises annually. Last year, the United States Treasury Department sanctioned several Chinese entities for supplying chemical precursors to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran for its ballistic missile program. China rejected the accusations, claiming ignorance of the cited cases and assuring that it strictly applies export controls on dual-use products.

During a military parade in Beijing in September, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that “China supports Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national dignity”. On October 18, China, Russia, and Iran sent a joint letter to denounce the decision to reimpose sanctions as erroneous.

“Iran has become a battlefield between the United States and, on the other hand, Russia and China,” pointed out one of the sources informed by the Iranian Government about the missile negotiations. The agreement comes as the United States concentrates a naval contingent a short distance from Iran, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group. The USS Gerald R. Ford and its escorts are also heading to the region. Both aircraft carriers can carry more than 5,000 personnel and 150 aircraft. “China does not want to see a pro-Western regime in Iran,” Citrinowicz stated. “That would pose a threat to its interests. They hope this regime will remain.” Trump announced on February 19 that he was giving Iran ten days to reach an agreement on its nuclear program or face military action. The United States is preparing for potential operations sustained for weeks if Trump orders an attack, according to a report by Reuters on February 13.

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The acquisition of the CM-302 would represent a significant improvement for the Iranian arsenal, weakened after last year’s war, noted Pieter Wezeman, senior researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. The Chinese state-owned company China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) promotes the CM-302 as the most advanced anti-ship missile in the world, capable of sinking aircraft carriers or destroyers. The system can be installed on ships, aircraft, or mobile land vehicles and also attack targets on land. CASIC did not respond to requests for comment. Iran is holding further negotiations to acquire Chinese surface-to-air missile systems, known as MANPADS, as well as anti-ballistic and anti-satellite weaponry, according to the six sources consulted.

China was a crucial arms supplier to Iran in the 1980s, although transfers decreased in the late 90s due to international pressure. In recent years, US officials have accused Chinese companies of supplying missile-related materials to Iran, but they have not publicly denounced the delivery of complete missile systems.