Amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, reports indicate that Tehran is moving toward acquiring China’s advanced CM-302 supersonic anti-ship missile, a development that could significantly reshape the strategic balance in the Middle East. Defense analysts suggest that if inducted into Iran’s arsenal, the missile would substantially enhance the country’s deterrence capability and alter naval calculations across the region. The CM-302 is widely regarded as the export variant of China’s YJ-12 missile and is powered by solid fuel, enabling it to travel at speeds approaching Mach 3—roughly three times the speed of sound. Its high velocity and sea-skimming flight profile make detection and interception by conventional radar and air defense systems extremely challenging. With an estimated range of around 290 kilometers, the missile is designed to strike distant maritime targets with precision. Military experts argue that even a single successful hit could severely damage or potentially disable a large warship or destroyer, underscoring its destructive potential. One of its key advantages lies in its flexible launch capability, as it can be deployed from land-based platforms, aircraft, or naval vessels, thereby expanding operational options. Should Iran operationalize such a system, the security dynamics of critical waterways like the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and especially the Strait of Hormuz could shift dramatically, affecting both military deployments and global energy supply routes. The United States has long maintained naval dominance in these waters, but the introduction of advanced supersonic anti-ship missiles would compel a reassessment of force posture and defense planning. In recent years, China has rapidly modernized its missile technology and expanded its footprint in the global arms market by offering relatively cost-effective yet highly capable systems. A finalized missile deal between Beijing and Tehran would therefore represent not only a deepening of bilateral defense cooperation but also a broader geopolitical signal. Such a move could intensify regional rivalries, heighten diplomatic friction, and add a new layer of complexity to already volatile security conditions. Consequently, the potential transfer of the CM-302 is being viewed not merely as an arms transaction, but as a development with far-reaching implications for deterrence, power projection, and strategic stability across the Middle East.