China's Spy Satellite Allegedly Aided Iran in Targeting US Bases, Report Claims
An investigation by the Financial Times has revealed that Iran utilized a Chinese-constructed spy satellite to surveil and target United States military installations across the Middle East amid recent hostilities. The report, based on leaked Iranian military documents and satellite data, indicates a covert operation involving advanced technology.
Satellite Acquisition and Operational Details
According to the findings, the satellite, designated TEE-01B, was secretly obtained by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force in late 2024. It was launched from China and built by the Chinese firm Earth Eye Co. The transfer occurred through an "in-orbit delivery" model, a little-known export method that facilitated Iran's access to sophisticated surveillance capabilities.
Leaked documents, including time-stamped coordinate logs, imagery, and orbital analyses, demonstrate that Iranian commanders employed this satellite to monitor key US military facilities before and after missile and drone strikes in March. Among the sites under surveillance were:
- Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, imaged on March 13, 14, and 15. On March 14, US President Donald Trump confirmed damage to five US Air Force refueling planes stationed there.
- Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, areas near the US Fifth Fleet base in Manama, Bahrain, Erbil airport in Iraq, Camp Buehring and Ali Al Salem air base in Kuwait.
- Additional targets such as Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti and Duqm International Airport in Oman.
The satellite also observed civilian infrastructure in the Gulf region, including the Khor Fakkan container port and the Qidfa power and desalination plant in the United Arab Emirates, along with the Alba aluminium facility in Bahrain.
Enhanced Capabilities and Strategic Implications
Under the agreement, Iran gained access to ground control infrastructure operated by Emposat, a Beijing-based provider with a global network. This enabled remote operation of the satellite, imagery reception, and mission direction from multiple locations. In September 2024, the IRGC Aerospace Force agreed to pay approximately Rmb250 million (about $36.6 million) for the satellite system, covering launch, technical support, and data services.
Experts highlight that TEE-01B represents a significant upgrade for Iran's military capabilities. Nicole Grajewski noted, "This satellite is clearly being used for military purposes, as it is being run by the IRGC’s Aerospace Force and not Iran’s civilian space programme. Iran really needs this foreign-provided capability during this war, as it allows the IRGC to identify targets ahead of time and check the success of its strikes."
The satellite captures imagery at roughly half-metre resolution, a sharp improvement over Iran’s earlier systems like Noor-3, which offered about 5-metre resolution and could not clearly identify aircraft or detailed base activities.
Broader Geopolitical Context and Denials
Analysts suggest this arrangement reflects a broader strategy to protect Iran’s space assets. Jim Lamson explained, "This amounts to a dispersion strategy for Iran’s space assets. Iran’s satellite ground stations, which were hit in 2025 and 2026, can be hit very easily by missiles from a thousand miles away. You can’t just hit a Chinese ground station located in another country." Israel’s military has reported striking multiple Iranian space and satellite-related facilities during the conflict.
The development occurs amid deepening cooperation between Iran, China, and Russia in the space domain. While China positions its commercial space sector as civilian, analysts point to increasing dual-use applications. US officials have previously raised concerns about Chinese satellite firms aiding actors hostile to US interests, with reports indicating that Chang Guang Satellite Technology provided imagery to Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Emposat has drawn scrutiny for its links to China’s military ecosystem, identified in a US House China committee report as having connections to the People’s Liberation Army Aerospace Force. Aidan Powers-Riggs stated, "Emposat is a rising star in China’s commercial space sector, but it’s still a product of the state and military establishment. It was founded by veterans of China’s state-run space programme and bankrolled by investment from national military-civil fusion funds."
Former US intelligence officials, such as Dennis Wilder, suggest that Beijing’s support for Tehran may be part of a broader strategic calculus, historically including military aid like anti-ship missiles used in the Strait of Hormuz. There are indications China considered supplying shoulder-fired missiles to Iran, similar to those used to shoot down a US fighter jet, though the Central Intelligence Agency declined to comment.
Official Responses and Ongoing Concerns
China’s ministry of foreign affairs spokesperson rejected the allegations, stating, "Media reports accusing China of providing military support to Iran are purely fabricated. If the US goes ahead with tariff hikes on China on the basis of these accusations, China will respond with countermeasures." China’s embassy in Washington added, "We firmly oppose relevant parties spreading speculative and insinuative disinformation against China. We uphold an objective and impartial stance, and have made efforts to promote peace talks. We never engage in actions that escalate conflicts."
The findings underscore growing concerns in Washington over the blurred lines between China’s commercial and military space capabilities and their potential role in conflicts across the Middle East, highlighting the complex interplay of global powers in regional disputes.
