Iran reportedly acquired a Chinese spy satellite in late 2024 through a secret arrangement, allowing it to target U.S. military bases throughout the Middle East during current hostilities.
According to a report by the Financial Times on Wednesday, Beijing has dismissed the account as a fabrication.
The TEE-01B satellite, manufactured and launched by Chinese firm Earth Eye Co, was allegedly acquired by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force after entering orbit.
The report cited leaked Iranian military documents as evidence of the transaction.
Surveillance of strategic military sites
Iranian military commanders reportedly directed the satellite to monitor significant U.S. military installations. The newspaper cited time-stamped coordinate lists, satellite imagery, and orbital analysis to support these claims.
Images were reportedly captured in March, both before and after drone and missile strikes on the specified locations.
As part of the reported agreement, the IRGC was granted access to commercial ground stations operated by Emposat.
This Beijing-based provider offers satellite control and data services through a network that spans Asia, Latin America, and other global regions.
Beijing issues formal denial
The Chinese foreign ministry denied the report on Wednesday, labeling the claims as untrue.
In a statement to Reuters, the ministry accused certain forces of being keen on fabricating rumors and maliciously associating them with China.
The statement further emphasized that China firmly opposes such practices driven by ulterior motives.
While Reuters noted it could not independently verify the report, the Chinese embassy in Washington also voiced strong opposition to the spread of what it termed speculative and insinuative disinformation.
Impacts on regional security
The satellite reportedly captured detailed images of Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia between March 13 and 15. On March 14, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that American aircraft at the base had been struck.
In addition to the site in Saudi Arabia, the report indicated that the satellite monitored Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, locations near the U.S. Fifth Fleet naval base in Bahrain, and Erbil airport in Iraq.
These surveillance activities coincided with attacks on facilities in those areas that were claimed by the IRGC.
While the White House, CIA, and Pentagon did not immediately provide comments on the matter, a spokesperson referred to previous warnings from the U.S. President regarding consequences for China if it provided military support to Iran.
