US President Donald Trump on September 13 dismissed a report that Chinese entities provided high-resolution satellite imagery to Iran ahead of a July 17 missile attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, which killed three American soldiers and wounded four others.
Trump’s response came during a press briefing aboard Air Force One, where he was asked whether he would raise the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their planned meeting on September 24. He did not directly address the allegation but stated that China’s intelligence activities mirror those of the US.
‘They basically do what we do’
Speaking to reporters, Trump said: ‘You know what they say? That China spies on us. I say you're right, and we spy on them, too.’ He added that Xi Jinping has ‘behaved reasonably well’ and that the two leaders maintain a functional relationship despite ongoing tensions.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the alleged intelligence-sharing on September 12, citing unnamed US officials who stated that the imagery was obtained by Iran from Chinese entities before and after the attack. The officials did not identify the specific entities involved or accuse the Chinese government of direct involvement in the strike. Reuters noted it could not independently verify the report.
US officials link imagery to attack
According to the Wall Street Journal, the satellite images were used by Iran to target US military personnel at the Jordanian base. The officials described the intelligence as ‘the clearest evidence so far that Chinese support for Iran during the war has had lethal consequences for US forces.’ Iran later published high-resolution images of the damage caused by the attack.
The report has raised concerns about China’s role in supporting Iran’s military capabilities, particularly as Beijing maintains a strategic partnership with Tehran. The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission has previously accused China of propping up Iran’s defense industrial base, including through the sale of advanced technologies.
Diplomatic implications ahead of Xi-Trump summit
The alleged intelligence-sharing could complicate discussions between Trump and Xi during their upcoming meeting, which has been framed as an effort to stabilize US-China relations. While Trump downplayed the issue, the report suggests that China’s indirect support for Iran may have contributed to a direct attack on US forces, potentially escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing.
US officials have not accused Beijing of ordering or participating in the attack, but the revelation has intensified scrutiny over China’s military and technological cooperation with Iran. The Financial Times reported in April 2024 that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) acquired a Chinese-made TEE-01B spy satellite for approximately $36 million, further highlighting the depth of their defense ties.
No direct Chinese government involvement alleged
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, US officials have not provided evidence of direct Chinese government involvement in the imagery transfer or the attack itself. The Wall Street Journal noted that the officials declined to name the entities responsible, leaving open questions about whether the transfers were state-sanctioned or conducted by private actors. The Chinese government has not publicly responded to the report.
The incident underscores broader concerns about China’s role in the Middle East, particularly as it maintains economic and military ties with Iran amid ongoing regional conflicts. The September 24 summit between Trump and Xi will likely address these issues, though neither side has confirmed the meeting’s agenda in detail.