Did Iran Use A Chinese Spy Satellite To Track US Bases During War? Here's What China Has To Say

Last Updated:April 15, 2026, 11:58 IST

Iranian military commanders reportedly tasked the satellite with tracking key US military installations, including bases in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain and Iraq.

Iran secretly acquired a Chinese-made spy satellite that was used to monitor US military bases across the Middle East during the recent conflict, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. Follow Live Updates Here

The satellite, TEE-01B, was built and launched by the Chinese firm Earth Eye Co. and was obtained by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Aerospace Force in late 2024 after being put into orbit from China, the report said, citing leaked Iranian military documents.

Chinese authorities, however, said reports alleging that Beijing provided military support to Iran are “purely fabricated," rejecting the claims.

They warned that if the US proceeds with tariff hikes against China based on these accusations, Beijing will respond with countermeasures.

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Satellite Used To Monitor US Bases

Iranian military commanders reportedly tasked the satellite with tracking key US military installations, including bases in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain and Iraq. The Financial Times said the system captured images before and after drone and missile strikes on these locations.

The satellite is said to have taken images of Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia between March 13 and 15. On March 14, President Trump confirmed that US aircraft at the base had been hit.

According to the report, the satellite also monitored the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, areas near the US Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain, and locations around Erbil airport in Iraq during the period of attacks claimed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

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Access To Global Ground Stations

As part of the arrangement, the IRGC was given access to commercial ground stations operated by Beijing-based Emposat, which provides satellite control and data services across multiple regions, the report said.

Reuters said it could not independently verify the Financial Times report. There was no immediate response from the White House, CIA, Pentagon, China’s foreign and defence ministries, or the companies named in the report.

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