China has rejected reports that Chinese entities supplied Iran with satellite imagery of a US military base in Jordan before and after an Iranian missile strike that killed three American soldiers.
The allegations, reported by the Wall Street Journal, relate to missile attacks launched by Iran on July 17 against Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, which hosts US military personnel in Jordan.
The report, citing unnamed US officials, did not identify the Chinese entities allegedly involved and stopped short of accusing the Chinese government of directly authorising the transfer.
China’s Foreign Ministry has dismissed the allegations as baseless, calling for evidence to support claims that Chinese companies provided Tehran with the satellite imagery.
The controversy comes as Washington and Beijing prepare for a high-level diplomatic engagement, with Chinese President Xi Jinping expected to visit the White House on September 24.
US President Donald Trump has sought to play down the allegations, acknowledging that both countries engage in intelligence-gathering activities.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Chinese officials had asked US counterparts to provide evidence of any transfer of satellite imagery and declined to confirm that Chinese companies were involved.
The allegations come against a backdrop of growing US scrutiny of China’s relationship with Iran.
Trump has previously warned Beijing against supplying weapons to Tehran, while Washington in May imposed sanctions on three China-based satellite companies accused of supporting Iran’s military operations.
China remains one of Iran’s most important economic and diplomatic partners and is a major buyer of Iranian oil.
Despite the latest dispute, Trump has continued to describe his relationship with Xi as stable, signalling that the allegations have not, for now, derailed efforts to maintain dialogue between Washington and Beijing.
The issue is likely to remain sensitive as the two economic powers navigate broader disputes over trade, technology, security and China’s ties with Iran.
