China rejects report of providing satellite support to Iran

BEIJING: China has dismissed a report by the Financial Times as “fabricated”, rejecting allegations that it provided covert satellite support to Iran during the ongoing conflict in the region.

The report claimed that Iran had secretly acquired a Chinese-made satellite, identified as TEE-01B, in late 2024 and used it to monitor and target United States military installations across the Middle East.

According to the report, the satellite was developed and launched by Chinese firm Earth Eye Co and later obtained by the aerospace division of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. It further alleged that Iranian commanders used satellite imagery and coordinate data to track US bases before and after drone and missile strikes.

The report also claimed that Iran gained access to ground control infrastructure operated by Emposat as part of the arrangement.

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Responding to the allegations, China’s foreign ministry said certain forces were spreading “rumours” and attempting to link them to Beijing with ulterior motives, adding that China firmly opposes such practices.

The Chinese embassy in Washington also rejected the claims, calling them speculative and misleading.

Reuters reported that it could not independently verify the Financial Times claims. Meanwhile, the White House, Central Intelligence Agency, and Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The report referenced statements by Donald Trump, who had warned that China would face consequences if it provided military assistance to Iran.

It also alleged that the satellite captured images of key locations, including Prince Sultan Air Base, Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, areas near the US Fifth Fleet base in Manama, and Erbil Airport around the time of reported Iranian attacks.

Despite the claims, China has strongly denied any involvement, reiterating its opposition to what it described as disinformation amid heightened regional tensions.