Chinese entities allegedly provided Iran with high-quality satellite imagery of a U.S. air base shortly before Tehran launched a ballistic missile attack that killed three American service members, according to a new report.
U.S. officials have linked the Chinese-supplied imagery to Iran’s July 17 attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The imagery was reportedly provided both before and after the attack, giving Tehran detailed views of the American facility.
The strike killed three U.S. troops and wounded four others, marking the first American military deaths of the Iran war since the April ceasefire.
The three Americans killed were First Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, and Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, 28.
U.S. officials reportedly view the satellite imagery as the clearest evidence yet that Chinese assistance to Iran during the war has contributed directly to American military casualties.
However, officials have not identified exactly which Chinese entities supplied the images and stopped short of accusing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) itself of directly participating in the strike.
Senior U.S. officials have confronted their Chinese counterparts over the intelligence.
Beijing has strongly rejected the allegations and demanded that Washington provide evidence.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington said cooperation between China and Iran complies with international law and accused critics of “maliciously linking and smearing other countries.”
There is evidence that Chinese support for Iran during the war has had lethal consequences for U.S. forces https://t.co/s88qshY0S5
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) September 12, 2026
The spokesperson reportedly did not directly address the specific allegation that Chinese entities provided satellite imagery connected to the deadly attack.
Evidence of Iran relying on Chinese surveillance technology had already emerged earlier in the war.
The Financial Times reported in April that Iran was using a Chinese built and launched spy satellite purchased by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force from Chinese company Earth Eye Co. in late 2024.
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The latest revelation threatens to further strain relations between Washington and Beijing ahead of President Trump’s upcoming meeting White House meeting with Chinese leader t Xi Jinping.
Muwaffaq Salti Air Base was targeted by Iran again on Thursday.
That attack reportedly damaged several U.S. aircraft, although the U.S. has said that American planes did not sustain any serious damage.
Iran has increased its targeting of Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Air Base near Al-Azraq in recent weeks.
The Islamic Republic sees the base as a legitimate target in the war because it is a key operations hub for US troops. So, what else do we know? pic.twitter.com/NjU2Q0d5oX
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) September 10, 2026
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