Iran Nears Deal with China for Advanced Anti-Ship Missiles Amid US Tensions

• Iran is close to finalizing a deal with China to acquire advanced CM-302 supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, according to Reuters.
• The proposed missiles have a range of 290 km and are designed to evade shipborne defenses, significantly enhancing Iran's naval targeting capabilities.
• Negotiations, which began two years ago, accelerated after the Israel-Iran conflict in June, with senior Iranian officials visiting China.
• The potential transfer would be one of the most advanced weapons systems China has supplied to Iran, complicating US efforts to curb Iran's missile and nuclear programs.
• The deal comes as the US deploys significant naval forces near Iran's coast and amid reimposed UN arms embargo sanctions.