- China is reportedly nearing a deal to sell CM-302 supersonic cruise missiles to Iran. According to Reuters, the missiles are capable of targeting and destroying U.S. aircraft carriers. Negotiations, which have been ongoing for two years, intensified following the Israel-Iran conflict last June.
- China is reportedly nearing a deal to sell CM-302 supersonic cruise missiles to Iran, with negotiations intensifying after the Israel-Iran conflict last June.
- The CM-302 missiles, capable of traveling at Mach 4 and carrying significant explosives, are designed to target both maritime and land targets, including U.S. aircraft carriers.
- U.S. carrier strike groups, including the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford, are deployed in the region, with the U.S. deploying missile defense systems in response.
- Analysts suggest the missiles, if acquired, could significantly alter naval power dynamics in the region due to their difficulty to intercept.
- Iran's Revolutionary Guards have conducted recent drills in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, testing new missiles and tactics.
China is reportedly nearing a deal to sell CM-302 supersonic cruise missiles to Iran. According to Reuters, the missiles are capable of targeting and destroying U.S. aircraft carriers. Negotiations, which have been ongoing for two years, intensified following the Israel-Iran conflict last June. The CM-302 can travel at four times the speed of sound, carry 250 kg of explosives, and execute zig-zag maneuvers to avoid defenses. It has a range of approximately 180 miles and has not been used in combat. U.S. carrier strike groups, including the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford, are currently deployed in the region. The U.S. is deploying THAAD and Patriot missile systems in response to potential threats. China previously sold weapons to Iran in the 1980s and continues to provide political support. Simultaneously, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have conducted multiple drills in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, testing new missiles and tactics, while internal protests continue at Tehran universities. Analysts caution that the missiles would be difficult to intercept and could significantly alter the naval power dynamics in the region.
Feb 24, 2026, 4:09:43 PM UTC(6 hours ago)
Impact: HighAffected Assets
Sources
From:@DeItaone
CHINA TO SELL “CARRIER-KILLER” MISSILES TO IRAN
Iran is close to buying the CM-302 supersonic cruise missile from China, capable of destroying U.S. aircraft carriers, according to Reuters. Negotiations, ongoing for two years, accelerated after last June’s Israel-Iran conflict.
The CM-302 can travel 4× the speed of sound, carry 250 kg of explosives, and perform zig-zag maneuvers to evade defenses. It has a range of ~180 miles and has not been used in combat.
U.S. carrier strike groups, including the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford, are currently in the region. The U.S. is deploying THAAD and Patriot missile systems to counter potential attacks.
China previously sold weapons to Iran in the 1980s and continues to back Tehran politically. Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have conducted multiple drills in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, testing new missiles and tactics, while internal protests continue at Tehran universities.
Analysts warn that the missiles would be very difficult to intercept and could significantly shift the balance of naval power in the region.
