China Rejects Claims Of Helping Iran Target US Troops

China has rejected allegations that Chinese entities provided Iran with satellite intelligence before an Iranian missile strike in Jordan that killed three US service members in July.

The allegations centre on the July 17 attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, where Iranian ballistic missiles struck an area housing American troops. Three US soldiers were killed and four others were wounded.

US officials have linked high-resolution satellite images obtained by Iran from Chinese entities to the attack, saying the imagery was provided both before and after the strike. However, the officials did not identify the Chinese companies involved and did not accuse the Chinese government of directly ordering or participating in the attack.

The allegations were raised with Chinese officials, who reportedly rejected the claims and demanded evidence that Chinese entities had transferred the imagery to Tehran. Beijing has maintained that its cooperation with Iran complies with international law.

The development has added another point of tension between Washington and Beijing, particularly because the United States has previously accused Chinese companies of helping Iran improve its military surveillance capabilities.

Washington had already sanctioned three China-based satellite companies in May over concerns that their technology was enabling Iran’s military operations. US officials have also been examining whether Chinese assistance could help Iran track American naval assets.

The July attack has drawn particular attention because it came after US strikes had damaged parts of Iran’s ability to monitor the battlefield. American officials said Iranian targeting appeared to become more accurate over the summer, raising questions about the sources of Tehran’s improved intelligence.

Iran, however, has access to multiple intelligence sources, including its own satellites, human intelligence and information from Russia. This means the Chinese imagery, even if confirmed, would have been only one potential source of information used in the attack.

US President Donald Trump has also played down the immediate implications of the report. Asked whether he would raise the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump pointed to the fact that both countries conduct intelligence operations against each other and said China and the United States “basically do what we do.”

The dispute comes ahead of a planned meeting between Trump and Xi in Washington on September 24, although Beijing has not officially confirmed the meeting. The allegations could nevertheless become part of wider discussions over China’s relationship with Iran, military technology and the growing rivalry between Washington and Beijing.

For now, there is no public confirmation identifying the Chinese entities allegedly involved or establishing that Beijing itself authorised the transfer. China continues to reject the allegations, while US officials maintain that the satellite imagery was connected to the deadly attack on American troops.

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