Reuters reported on the 24th (local time), citing multiple sources familiar with the matter, that Iran is expected to sign a contract soon to purchase Chinese-made supersonic anti-ship missiles. With U.S. military pressure on Iran, tensions are rising in the Middle East.
According to the sources, Iran is about to sign a contract with China to buy CM-302 supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles. Reuters explained that the CM-302 is the export model designation of the Yingji (YJ)-12 supersonic anti-ship cruise missile produced in China, designed to evade ship defenses through low-altitude supersonic flight. Its range reaches about 290 km.
Negotiations on the missile transaction between the two countries began at least two years ago, but gained momentum with the "12-day war" that broke out after Israel and the United States bombed Iranian nuclear facilities and other targets in June last year, Reuters said. According to the sources, senior Iranian government and military officials, including Vice Defense Minister Masud Orayi, visited China last summer for final coordination.
However, specific details such as the delivery timing, quantity, and transaction amount of the missiles have not been confirmed.
This move became known as military tensions heightened recently, with the United States deploying major strategic assets, including two aircraft carrier strike groups, to the Middle East to press Iran to conclude a nuclear deal.
Dany Citrinowicz, the Iran expert at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) in Israel, said, "If Iran becomes able to attack warships in nearby waters with supersonic missiles, the dynamics could change completely," adding, "Such missiles are very difficult to intercept."