Iran is close to a deal with China to purchase anti‑ship cruise missiles, according to six people with knowledge of the negotiations, just as the United States deploys a vast naval force near the Iranian coast ahead of possible strikes on the Islamic Republic, Reuters reported. 

The deal for the Chinese‑made CM‑302 missiles is near completion, though no delivery date has been set, the people say. The supersonic missiles have a range of about 290 kilometers (180 miles) and are designed to evade shipborne defenses by flying low and fast.

Their deployment would significantly enhance Iran’s strike capabilities and pose a threat to US naval forces in the region, two weapons experts said, according to Reuters.