Reuters Has Learned Of An Iran-China Arms Deal That Threatens The U.S.

A contract involving the transfer of SM-302 supersonic missiles to Tehran has almost been agreed upon.

Iran is close to striking a deal with China to buy anti-ship cruise missiles amid the threat of US strikes on Iran in the near future. This was reported by Reuters, citing six sources familiar with the talks.

According to the knowledgeable sources, a contract for the supply of Chinese CM-302 missiles has almost been agreed upon, but the parties have not yet set a timeframe for the arms transfer. The missiles in question are supersonic missiles with a range of about 290 kilometers. Their key feature, according to Reuters, is the ability to bypass ship-based air defense systems due to extremely low altitude and high flight speed. China introduced the SM-302 in 2016.

As two arms experts note, the appearance of such missiles in Iran's inventory would seriously strengthen its strike capability and create additional risks for US Navy (Navy) ships present in the region.

Reuters writes that it has not been able to find out how many missiles the potential deal could include, how much Iran has agreed to pay and whether China is willing to enter into an agreement now, amid heightened tensions in the region. China's Foreign Ministry told the agency it was unaware of any negotiations on the deal. The White House also did not comment directly, pointing out that U.S. President Donald Trump has been clear about tough measures if the Iran deal fails.

"Iran has military and security agreements with its allies and now is the right time to take advantage of these agreements," an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman told Reuters.

The agency's sources said Tehran and Beijing's talks on missiles, which began at least two years ago, accelerated after the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June, during which the US launched strikes including on the country's nuclear facilities.

Two sources said senior Iranian military and officials visited China last summer as the talks reached their final stage, including Iranian Deputy Defense Minister Masoud Orai. His visit, Reuters wrote, had not been previously reported.

Reuters noted that the missiles, the delivery of which could be worked into the talks, would violate a U.N. arms embargo first imposed in 2006 and extended last September. Iran is among the countries covered by the ban.

Tensions between Washington and Tehran rose during the violent crackdown on mass protests in Iran in December. In response, Washington has stepped up its military presence in the Middle East. The situation is also complicated by disagreements over Tehran's nuclear program. Trump has not ruled out a limited strike on Iran to force a deal. On February 19, he said that the world would know Iran's fate in ten days.

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