Iran used Chinese satellite imagery in deadly US base attack: report

Iran reportedly acquired high-resolution satellite imagery from China both before and after a missile strike on an American base in Jordan in July that resulted in the deaths of three US soldiers.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal citing US officials, Tehran launched ballistic missiles on 17 July against Muwaffaq al-Salti Air Base in north-eastern Jordan. The missiles struck the barracks where American soldiers were sleeping, killing three service members and wounding four others.

The report stated that the Donald Trump administration had repeatedly warned Beijing in the months preceding the attack that Chinese companies could provide satellite imagery to Tehran. In May, the US imposed sanctions on the China-based companies MizarVision, Earth Eye, and Chang Guang.

Beijing rejects the allegations

Officials noted that following the attack, the Tehran administration published high-resolution images showing the damage sustained at the base. The American side reportedly presented documents demonstrating the link to the Jordan attack to Chinese counterparts; however, Beijing rejected these contentions and demanded concrete evidence.

Officials cited in the report stated that Beijing does not accept the claim that Chinese companies provided support to Tehran. According to the report, the officials did not disclose the names of the companies that provided the satellite imagery, nor did they claim that the Beijing government was directly involved in the incident.

Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, said the accusations were “malicious” and maintained that cooperation between China and Iran is conducted entirely in accordance with international law.

The report assessed that these allegations could escalate tensions between the two countries ahead of a summit planned between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on 24 September.

Trump reportedly told his team that maintaining good relations with Beijing and Xi was a priority, leading senior American officials to avoid open confrontations that could overshadow the summit. According to the report, officials are particularly playing down the scale of potential support China could provide to Iran in public.

Washington concerned over naval forces

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi a few days after the base attack in July. Rubio avoided giving a direct answer when asked whether China provided intelligence data to Tehran, saying, “No action by China has in any way altered the course of the conflict.”

Sources speaking to the newspaper stated that the American administration is also concerned that Beijing could assist Tehran in tracking US naval forces. In recent days, Iran launched ballistic missiles at an American aircraft carrier and other military vessels.

In a report published during the summer, the Reuters news agency claimed that China was planning a major shipment of man-portable air-defence systems (MANPADS) to Iran via Pakistan, an allegation denied by both the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Pakistan Armed Forces.

Donald Trump, for his part, announced that during their face-to-face meeting in Beijing, Xi Jinping personally assured him that the Chinese state and companies would under no circumstances provide military support to Tehran.