Iran used high-resolution satellite imagery sourced from Chinese entities to carry out a July 17 missile strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, killing three US service members, multiple outlets report based on a Wall Street Journal story. US officials told the newspaper that Iranian forces had access to the imagery before the attack and that the base sustained extensive damage.
The reports say US officials link the satellite images to the timing and outcome of the strike, pointing to the images as among the most persuasive evidence to date of potentially deadly foreign support. Several outlets also note that US officials do not identify the specific Chinese entities involved and do not allege direct Chinese government participation. Some coverage frames the issue around US warnings that Chinese companies sell imagery that could be used against US forces.
China denies the allegations. In response, Chinese officials call the claims groundless and state that any cooperation with Iran complies with international law. The outlets also report broader US concerns about intelligence support to Iran, while noting that Iran likely uses multiple sources, including its own satellites and other intelligence channels.
