Iran Used Chinese Satellite Images in July 17 Jordan Strike That Killed 3 US Troops
Updated
Updated · Middle East Eye · Sep 12
Iran Used Chinese Satellite Images in July 17 Jordan Strike That Killed 3 US Troops
3 articles · Updated · Middle East Eye · Sep 12
Summary
US officials told the Wall Street Journal that Iran used high-resolution imagery from Chinese entities to help target Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan in the July 17 attack that killed three US soldiers.
More than 20 structures were damaged, and officials said Iran also targeted manned and unmanned aircraft; Tehran released high-resolution damage images within three days, reinforcing US suspicions about outside imagery support.
The officials did not name the Chinese providers or accuse Beijing directly, but called the evidence the strongest yet that Chinese support to Iran during the war may have had deadly consequences for US forces.
China denied the allegation and demanded evidence, while US officials said Iranian targeting also draws on its own satellites, human sources, and intelligence from Russia.
The report lands before a Sept. 24 Trump-Xi meeting, after Washington sanctioned three Chinese satellite firms in May and privately briefed Congress on alleged Russian and Chinese support for Iran.