KEY POINTS
- Iran is close to acquiring Chinese-made CM-302 anti-ship cruise missiles
- Talks accelerated after last year’s Israel-Iran conflict
- Missiles could threaten US naval forces in Gulf waters
- Deal signals expanding China-Iran defence cooperation
LONDON: Iran is close to finalising a deal with China to purchase advanced supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, Reuters reported, citing sources with knowledge of the negotiations, as the United States deploys significant naval forces near the Iranian coast amid heightened tensions.
The proposed agreement focusses on the Chinese-made CM-302 missile system, according to Reuters.
The talks are in advanced stages, though no delivery date has been agreed, Reuters reported, citing sources.
The potential transfer would mark one of the most sophisticated weapons systems supplied by China to Iran in recent years.
Negotiations between Tehran and Beijing began at least two years ago but accelerated sharply after a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran in June, the six sources said, as cited by Reuters.
The sources, according to Reuters, include three officials briefed by the Iranian government and three security officials.
As discussions entered their final stages last summer, senior Iranian military and government officials travelled to China, including Deputy Defence Minister Massoud Oraei, according to two of the security officials cited by Reuters.
An Iranian foreign ministry official, cited by Reuters, said that Iran maintains military and security agreements with its allies and that “now is an appropriate time to make use of these agreements”.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said after publication that it was not aware of the reported talks.
Meanwhile, a US official said President Donald Trump had made clear that Washington would either reach a deal with Iran or take “very tough” measures, referring to the current standoff over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
US forces deployment near Iran coast
The reported talks come as the United States assembles a large naval presence within striking distance of Iran.
The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group are operating in the region.
The USS Gerald R. Ford and its escorts are also heading to the area.
Together, the two carrier groups can deploy more than 5,000 personnel and around 150 aircraft.
Trump said on February 19 that he was giving Iran 10 days to reach an agreement over its nuclear programme or face possible military action.
Reuters reported on February 13 that the United States was preparing for the possibility of sustained operations against Iran if ordered.
Enhanced strike capability
The CM-302 is a supersonic anti-ship cruise missile with a reported range of around 290 kilometres.
It is designed to evade shipborne defences by flying low and at high speed.
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Two weapons experts told Reuters that deployment of the system would significantly enhance Iran’s ability to target naval assets in the Gulf and surrounding waters.
“It’s a complete game-changer if Iran has supersonic capability to attack ships in the area,” said Danny Citrinowicz, a former Israeli intelligence officer and now a senior Iran researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies in Israel.
“These missiles are very difficult to intercept.”
Pieter Wezeman, a senior researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, said the acquisition would represent a major upgrade for Iran’s arsenal, which he described as depleted after last year’s conflict.
China’s state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation markets the CM-302 as capable of striking large surface vessels, including aircraft carriers and destroyers.
The system can be launched from ships, aircraft or mobile ground vehicles and can also strike land targets.
According to Reuters, Iran is also discussing the potential acquisition of Chinese surface-to-air missile systems, including man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS), as well as anti-ballistic and anti-satellite weapons.
