As the war between Iran, the United States and Israel intensifies across the Middle East, attention has turned to the weapons that could shape the naval balance in the region. During the intial phase of ‘Operation Epic Fury’ the United States used its naval might including two aircraft carriers to target key sites across Iran. One report suggested that just days before the conflict escalated, Iran had been close to acquiring one of China’s most feared anti-ship weapons, a missile described as an “aircraft-carrier killer”.According to reporting cited by the South China Morning Post, a deal involving the CM-302 anti-ship cruise missile, the export version of China’s YJ-12 was reportedly nearing completion before Beijing publicly rejected the claim. The report, originally published by Reuters, cited multiple sources who said the sale could have significantly strengthened Iran’s ability to threaten US naval forces in the Persian Gulf.China’s foreign ministry quickly denied the report, calling it “not true”. But the discussion has drawn renewed attention to the missile itself a supersonic weapon designed specifically to target large surface warships, including aircraft carriers.If Iran had acquired the missile and deployed it along its coastline, analysts say it could have changed the military balance in the narrow waters of the Gulf.

What is China’s YJ-12 ‘aircraft-carrier killer’?

The YJ-12 is a Chinese supersonic anti-ship cruise missile designed to strike large naval vessels at long range. Developed by the China, it entered service around 2015 and forms part of Beijing’s growing anti-ship strike capability.The missile is primarily air-launched, most notably from the Xian H-6K strategic bomber. Once released, the YJ-12 uses a booster and ramjet propulsion system to accelerate to speeds of up to Mach 3, allowing it to cover distances of roughly 400–500 km before striking its target. It carries a high-explosive fragmentation warhead of about 500 kg and relies on inertial navigation combined with active radar homing for terminal guidance.One of the missile’s defining features is its ability to perform high-speed evasive manoeuvres during the final phase of flight, making interception more difficult. Variants such as the YJ-12A can be launched from naval platforms, while export versions like CM-302 and CM-400AKG offer similar capabilities for foreign buyers.Designed primarily to attack large naval targets, the missile travels at extremely high speeds, reaching roughly Mach 3 to Mach 4 depending on the variant. That velocity dramatically reduces the time available for enemy warships to detect and intercept it.The missile is powered by a rocket booster that accelerates it after launch before a ramjet engine takes over, pushing the weapon to sustained supersonic speeds. During the final stage of flight, the missile can descend to very low altitude and perform sharp manoeuvres, making interception difficult.Its warhead — typically around 200 kilograms of semi-armour-piercing explosives is designed to punch through the hulls of large warships before detonating. Combined with its speed and manoeuvrability, this capability is what earned the missile the label “carrier killer”.

The CM-302 export missile and why Iran wanted it

The weapon reportedly discussed with Iran was not the standard Chinese military version but its export variant, known as the CM-302 anti-ship cruise missile.To comply with international arms-control rules, the export model has a shorter range than the Chinese domestic system. While the YJ-12 can reportedly strike targets up to 400–500 kilometres away, the CM-302’s range is believed to be around 280–290 kilometres.

Could such missiles actually sink a US aircraft carrier?

The idea of a single missile destroying a modern aircraft carrier is often exaggerated. The United States’ newest carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), displaces about 100,000 tonnes and is designed with extensive damage-control systems and compartmentalised hull sections to prevent catastrophic flooding.Even powerful anti-ship missiles would be unlikely to sink such a vessel with a single strike. Modern carriers are built to absorb damage, contain fires and continue operating after an attack.

However, anti-ship missiles like the YJ-12 could still pose a serious threat. A successful hit might disable flight operations, damage radar systems or temporarily reduce combat capability. Military planners worry more about coordinated “saturation attacks”, where multiple missiles are launched simultaneously to overwhelm defences.US carriers rarely operate alone. They typically sail within a carrier strike group protected by destroyers, submarines and layered missile-defence systems designed to intercept incoming threats long before they reach the carrier itself.