Iran may have used a Chinese satellite to launch attacks on U.S. bases, according to the Financial Times
Iran likely used a Chinese reconnaissance satellite to monitor U.S. military bases in the Middle East even before the missile and drone attacks on those facilities.
This is reported by the Financial Times.
According to the publication, the satellite, named TEE-01B, was developed and launched by the Chinese company Earth Eye Co. In late 2024, after being launched into orbit from Chinese territory, the satellite was acquired by the Aerospace Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Subsequently, the Iranian military command used the satellite to monitor strategic U.S. facilities in the region. The publication cites timestamped coordinates, satellite imagery, and orbital analysis.
In particular, the satellite recorded activity around a number of military facilities, including Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, facilities near the U.S. Fifth Fleet base in Manama, Bahrain, and Erbil Airport in Iraq.
Images taken in March captured the facilities before and after drone and missile strikes.
It is also reported that, in addition to the satellite, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps gained access to commercial ground stations operated by Emposat, a company engaged in satellite management and data transmission that operates in various regions of the world.
The White House, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Pentagon, the U.S. State Department, the Chinese Ministry of Defense, as well as Earth Eye Co. and Emposat did not provide comments in response to journalists’ inquiries.
Iran and the U.S. have not yet agreed on a new round of talks, although both sides continue to exchange messages through intermediaries. At the same time, various options for a potential meeting location are being considered, but no final decision has been made.
Additionally, China has criticized the U.S. for the naval blockade of Iranian ports. Beijing believes that such actions only escalate the situation and could derail the ceasefire. The statement came after the collapse of negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
The U.S. and Iran are discussing a new round of talks – Bloomberg.
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