Between February 28 and April 8, Iran launched retaliatory strikes against US bases and civilian targets, reportedly aided by a Chinese satellite.
Chinese Satellite Allegedly Used in Iran Attacks
From February 28 to April 8, Israel and the US conducted attacks on Iran, prompting retaliatory strikes by Iran against US bases and civilian targets in Arab Gulf countries. According to reports in the “Financial Times,” a transaction with China may have facilitated these attacks.
IRGC Acquisition of Chinese Satellite
The “Financial Times” obtained documents from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) revealing the acquisition of the TEE-01B satellite by the IRGC’s aerospace forces in late 2024. The satellite was constructed and launched by the Chinese company Earth Eye Co.
Satellite Monitoring of US Facilities
Iraqi military commanders allegedly instructed the satellite to monitor key US facilities, as reported by the “Financial Times.” Evidence includes images of bases taken in March before and after drone attacks, along with timestamped coordinate lists.
Specific US Bases Under Surveillance
The satellite reportedly photographed Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on March 13, 14, and 15. On March 14, US President Donald Trump confirmed that US aircraft at the base had been hit. The satellite also monitored a base in Jordan, locations near the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain, and the Irbil airport in Iraq, coinciding with IRGC claims of attacks in those areas.
Access to Commercial Ground Stations
As part of the agreement, the IRGC gained access to commercial ground stations operated by Emposat, a Beijing-based company specializing in satellite control and data transmission services, with a network spanning Asia, Latin America, and other regions.
China’s Response and US Tariff Threats
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that reports accusing China of providing military support to Iran are “completely fabricated.” He warned that China would respond with countermeasures if the US imposes tariffs based on these accusations.
Lin Jian’s statement followed a warning from Donald Trump, who threatened to impose a 50% tariff on China if they were found to have supplied Iran with manual anti-aircraft missile launchers.