British analysis reveals Chinese company MizarVision published detailed satellite imagery of US military assets, including bases in Israel and Saudi Arabia, prior to Iranian attacks.
US Military Assets Documented
British aviation portal FlightGlobal analyzed MizarVision’s social media activity, finding the Chinese firm published high-quality satellite photos of US military assets in the Middle East. These included F-22 Raptors at Israel’s Ovda Air Base and installations at Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base, featuring AWACS E-3 and Bombardier E-11 aircraft. One photo showed seven E-3 and two E-11 planes.
A February 27 X post highlighted C-17 transports delivering supplies to Ovda, with seven F-22s parked on the tarmac and four on the runway, accompanied by a clear, color image of the base.
Attack Follows Base Publication
FlightGlobal noted MizarVision also published images of Qatar’s Al-Udeid Air Base. The base was attacked by Iranian drones and missiles the day after the photos were revealed. The firm additionally tracked US aircraft carriers USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford engaged against Iran.
Global Surveillance Scope
MizarVision’s activities extended beyond the Middle East. Two days before “Epic Fury” operations began, the company released photos and descriptions of US combat aircraft, tankers, and transports on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, home to a US-UK military base.
Established Tactics
FlightGlobal pointed out that using commercial satellite imagery for strategic communication isn’t new. In late 2021 and early 2022, the US published similar images of Russian troop concentrations near Ukraine to convince European leaders of an imminent invasion, countering claims of routine exercises.
