China expands arms support to Iran amid U.S. military buildup

Saturday 28 February 2026 - 09:20

By: Dakir Madiha

China expands arms support to Iran amid U.S. military buildup

China has delivered combat drones and is negotiating the sale of advanced anti-ship missiles to Iran as talks on Tehran’s missile capabilities progress, two regional officials told Middle East Eye. The development marks a major shift in Beijing’s engagement with Iran’s defense sector, moving from defensive systems to offensive weapons.

In 2025, after a brief conflict between Israel and Iran, Tehran began receiving Chinese-made surface-to-air missiles, reportedly paid for with oil shipments. According to Reuters, Iran is now close to sealing a deal to acquire CM-302 supersonic cruise missiles from China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation. The missile has a range of about 290 kilometers and can evade ship defenses at low altitude, posing a threat to U.S. naval forces in the Gulf. Iranian Deputy Defense Minister Massoud Oraei traveled to Beijing as negotiations reached their final stage, security officials said.

The U.S. has launched its largest military deployment in the Middle East since 2003, stationing two aircraft carrier strike groups and dozens of fighter jets amid a breakdown in nuclear talks. President Trump has warned that Iran has only days to reach a deal or face potential military action. Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows China now buys nearly 90 percent of Iran’s crude exports, valued at $46.7 billion last year, highlighting Beijing’s role as Tehran’s main economic lifeline.

Analysts say the expanding partnership underscores a growing strategic rivalry in the region. “China does not want a pro-Western government in Tehran because it would threaten Beijing’s interests,” said Danny Citrinowicz, a researcher at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies. While China’s foreign ministry said it was unaware of the missile talks, Washington refrained from commenting in detail, reiterating that the U.S. remains ready to act if diplomacy fails.