- FT report says Iran acquired Chinese spy satellite in 2024.
- Leaked documents suggest IRGC uses satellite to monitor US sites.
- Satellite images allegedly taken before, after attacks on bases.
China has rejected one Financial Times report as “fabricated”, rejecting claims that Beijing provided covert satellite support to Iran, enabling it to target US military bases across the Middle East during the ongoing conflict.
The report claims that Iran secretly acquired a Chinese-made spy satellite in late 2024, which it has used to monitor and attack US military installations throughout the region.
The TEE-01B satellite, built and launched by Chinese firm Earth Eye Co, was acquired by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Aerospace Force after it was launched into space from China, the report said, citing leaked Iranian military documents.
Iranian military leaders instructed the satellite to monitor major US military sites, the newspaper said, citing time-stamped coordinate lists, satellite images and orbital analysis. The photos were taken in March before and after drone and missile strikes on these locations, on Financial Times said.
As part of the deal, the IRGC gained access to commercial ground stations operated by Emposat, a Beijing-based provider of satellite control and data services with a network spanning Asia, Latin America and other regions, according to the report.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry denies the allegations Reuters: “Recently, some forces have been eager to fabricate rumors and maliciously link them to China.”
“China strongly opposes this kind of practice driven by ulterior motives,” the statement read.
Reuters could not confirm the report.
The White House, CIA and Pentagon did not immediately respond Reuters’ requests for comments. Earth Eye Co and Emposat also did not immediately respond Reuters inquiries.
The report said the White House did not comment on the relationship between Emposat and the IRGC, but a spokesman referred to comments by US President Donald Trump over the weekend when he warned China would face “big problems” if it provided Iran with air defense systems.
When asked about the matter, the Chinese embassy in Washington told the newspaper: “We strongly oppose relevant parties spreading speculative and insinuating disinformation against China.”
The satellite took images of Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on March 13, 14 and 15, the report said.
On March 14, Trump confirmed that US aircraft at the base had been hit.
According to the report, the satellite also monitored Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan and locations close to the US Fifth Fleet naval base in Manama, Bahrain, and Erbil Airport, Iraq, around the time of IRGC-claimed attacks on facilities in those areas.
