By Gloria Ogbonna
China’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday rejected allegations that a Chinese-built surveillance satellite was used by Iran to target American military installations during a series of missile and drone strikes known as Operation Epic Fury.
The denial came after the Financial Times published an investigative report claiming that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — a U.S.-designated terrorist organization — assumed control of a Chinese-manufactured satellite called TEE-01B in late 2024. According to the report, the IRGC allegedly used the satellite to monitor U.S. and allied military sites across the Middle East before and after launching attacks in March.
The Financial Times based its findings on leaked Iranian military documents, which reportedly included time-stamped coordinates, satellite imagery, and orbital analysis data.
These materials purportedly showed the satellite conducting surveillance over several strategic locations, including Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, sites near the U.S. Fifth Fleet Naval Base in Bahrain, and areas surrounding Erbil airport in Iraq.
Following the surveillance, the IRGC claimed responsibility for strikes on those locations. President Donald Trump confirmed that five U.S. refueling aircraft stationed at Prince Sultan Air Base sustained damage during one of the attacks.
The report further alleged that the Chinese satellite gathered intelligence on additional U.S. military sites, including two airbases in Kuwait, Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti — the only permanent U.S. military base in Africa — and an airport in Oman. Surveillance data was also reportedly compiled on civilian infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
During Operation Epic Fury, Iran was accused of carrying out repeated strikes not only against military targets but also against regional infrastructure, even after a ceasefire was declared.
According to the Financial Times, the satellite was constructed and launched by Earth Eye Co., a Chinese aerospace company that markets satellite services to international clients. Earth Eye’s website reportedly states that it has conducted at least one “in-orbit” satellite control transfer to an unnamed country participating in China’s Belt and Road Initiative — a global infrastructure program that Iran joined in 2021.
Although the satellite was initially marketed for civilian uses such as agriculture, ocean monitoring, emergency management, and municipal transportation, leaked documents allegedly showed that the IRGC Aerospace Force paid approximately $36 million in Chinese renminbi in September 2024 to assume control of TEE-01B. The agreement was reportedly signed by a senior IRGC Aerospace Force general.
Former CIA analyst Jim Lamson told the Financial Times that such an arrangement would have been strategically advantageous for Iran. He explained that Iran’s domestic satellite ground stations are vulnerable to missile strikes, whereas facilities operated by a Chinese company would be less likely to be targeted by the United States or Israel due to the broader geopolitical consequences.
The allegations pose a diplomatic challenge for Beijing, which has consistently portrayed itself as a responsible global power. The report also comes amid scrutiny over claims that a company linked to China’s People’s Liberation Army previously assisted Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen in attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
Despite the detailed nature of the Financial Times investigation, China did not directly address the specific claims. Instead, the Foreign Ministry issued a broad denial in a statement to Reuters.
“Recently, some forces have been keen on fabricating rumors and maliciously associating them to China. China firmly opposes this kind of practice driven by ulterior motives,” the ministry said.
Reuters reported that it was unable to obtain immediate comment from the White House, CIA, or Pentagon regarding the allegations. However, President Trump has previously warned of consequences if China provides military assistance to Iran. Over the weekend, he stated that China would face “big problems” if it attempted to supply Iran with advanced air defense systems.
On Sunday, Trump clarified that he would consider imposing a 50-percent tariff on China if it were found to be supplying Iran with sophisticated shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles. “I doubt they would do that,” Trump said, “but if we catch them doing that, they get a 50% tariff, which is a staggering amount.”
Observers have also noted that the precision of Iran’s missile strikes reportedly improved in the later stages of Operation Epic Fury, raising speculation about whether enhanced satellite intelligence played a role. If confirmed, the alleged use of Chinese satellite technology in Iranian military operations could escalate tensions not only between Washington and Beijing but also between China and Gulf Arab states that were targeted during the conflict.
For now, China has issued a blanket denial, while international scrutiny over the alleged satellite deal continues to grow.
Source Breitbart
Original article
Comments