Iran got Chinese satellite images before deadly strike on US troops: report

Chinese entities supplied Iran with satellite images of a US base in Jordan before and after a July attack that killed three American soldiers, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The disclosure could deepen tensions between Washington and Beijing ahead of a planned White House meeting later this month.

What did Iran obtain before the Jordan attack?

Iran obtained high-resolution satellite imagery from Chinese entities before launching missile strikes on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on July 17.

The base houses US forces, and three US Army soldiers were killed in the attack.

Who are the Chinese entities linked to the imagery transfer?

Unnamed US officials quoted by The Wall Street Journal did not name the Chinese entities involved and did not suggest that Beijing was directly to blame.

US officials have raised the matter with their Chinese counterparts, and it could come up again when President Donald Trump welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House on September 24.

How did China respond to US questions about the imagery?

Chinese officials asked for proof of the transfer of satellite imagery when prodded by US officials, and refused to acknowledge that Chinese companies were involved in providing Tehran with satellite images, the Journal reported late Friday.

Trump has warned Beijing not to sell weapons to Iran, and in May, Washington sanctioned three China-based satellite firms for enabling Iran's military operations.

Why does China's relationship with Iran matter here?

China is a top economic partner of Iran, buying much of its oil output, and also serves as an important diplomatic backer.

That relationship adds weight to any confirmed link between Chinese-sourced imagery and Iranian military operations against US forces.