Key facts
- Iran used Chinese satellite images to conduct its July 17 attack on a US base in Jordan.
- The attack killed three US service members and wounded four others.
- US officials linked the imagery to Iran's targeting accuracy improvement.
- US officials have not accused the Chinese government of direct involvement.
- Chinese entities reportedly provided imagery before and after the strike.
- Iran's IRGC reportedly acquired a Chinese spy satellite in September 2024.
Iran utilized high-resolution satellite imagery obtained from Chinese entities to plan and execute its July 17 ballistic missile attack on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, which resulted in the deaths of three US service members and injuries to four others, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal citing US officials. The officials indicated that Iran used the imagery both before and after the strike to identify targets and assess the damage. While the US has connected the imagery to Iran's improved targeting accuracy over the summer, officials stopped short of accusing the Chinese government of direct involvement, though they noted that Chinese companies may have provided the satellite data. Chinese officials have reportedly demanded proof and denied any knowledge of their companies assisting Iran when the issue was raised by US officials. The report also noted that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly acquired Beijing's TEE-01B spy satellite for approximately $36 million in September 2024 and has been using it to monitor US military sites in the Middle East. The IRGC reportedly receives access to ground stations operated by Emposat, a Beijing-based provider. The US has previously warned China that its companies' provision of satellite imagery to Iran could have deadly consequences for American forces. The revelation comes ahead of a scheduled meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.