China has been accused of supplying Iran with high-quality satellite imagery that aided in a fatal drone and missile attack on a Jordanian air base where U.S. troops were stationed, according to a new report. The alleged collaboration marks the most significant evidence to date of Chinese support for Iran during its conflict with the United States, officials told The Wall Street Journal.
The attack on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan occurred on July 17, resulting in the deaths of three U.S. service members and injuring four others. The strike was part of a series of assaults on the base within a 24-hour period, representing a critical escalation in regional hostilities.
US officials familiar with the details stated that the satellite imagery provided by China was likely one of several tools Iran utilized to pinpoint strike locations. Such imagery is crucial for analyzing an attack's effectiveness and planning future strikes. Iran also employs its own satellite technology and receives imagery from Russia, sources told the Journal.
When questioned by U.S. officials about the technology, Chinese counterparts reportedly declined to confirm any connection to their companies. A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy asserted that any cooperation with Iran did not violate international law, characterizing the allegations as a "malicious linking and smearing of other countries."
Complicating Diplomatic Relations
The allegations could complicate the upcoming visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington D.C. on September 24, his first in a decade. This meeting follows a previous one in Beijing with former President Donald Trump in May, aimed at easing tensions over sanctions and export restrictions. A truce that paused additional U.S. tariffs and delayed China's planned taxes on rare-earth exports is set to expire on November 10.
China's strategic interests in the Middle East include supplying Iran with resources that contribute to regional destabilization. The State Department previously announced sanctions in May on China-based entities for providing satellite imagery that facilitated Iranian military strikes. A fact sheet from the department stated, "The United States will continue to take action to hold China-based entities accountable for their support to Iran and ensure Iran cannot reconstitute its proliferation-sensitive programs following Operation Epic Fury."
The department identified Meentropy Technology, a China-based geospatial intelligence firm, for publishing open-source images of U.S. military activity, and Earth Eye for sharing satellite imagery with Iran. MizarVision, Earth Eye, and Chang Guang faced sanctions in the spring after the Trump administration accused them of providing imagery that could assist Iran in targeting U.S. forces. Chang Guang was also accused of supplying satellite imagery to the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen last year.
Sources did not specify which companies were involved in the July 17 attack. In China, private companies operate under government oversight and often maintain ties to the Communist Party.
The three service members killed in the July 17 attack were identified as Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Hawaii; Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Texas; and Angel Rampersad, 28, of New York. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced retaliatory actions against Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz following the incident, but did not initially disclose the strikes on American troops in Jordan.
Following the attack, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, telling reporters afterward, "Nothing that China has done has in any way changed the trajectory of the conflict."