China Provided Iran Satellite Images of Jordanian Base Before US Troop Deaths

China allegedly supplied Iran with satellite imagery of a Jordanian base prior to and following a drone attack that killed three U.S. soldiers, according to a "Wall Street Journal" report citing U.S. officials. The report suggests this intelligence sharing could escalate tensions between Washington and Beijing.

The attack occurred on July 17, targeting the Martyr Muwaffaq al-Salti Air Base, which hosts U.S. forces. The U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not identify the specific Chinese entities involved nor directly implicate the Chinese government. However, the matter has been raised with Chinese counterparts and is expected to be a topic when President Trump meets Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 24.

Chinese officials reportedly requested evidence of the satellite image transfer and denied any involvement by Chinese companies in providing such data to Tehran. This comes after President Trump warned Beijing against selling arms to Iran. In May, the U.S. imposed sanctions on three China-based satellite companies accused of supporting Iran's military operations.

China is a significant economic partner for Iran, purchasing a substantial portion of its oil exports and providing diplomatic support. The "Wall Street Journal" report highlights the complex relationship and potential implications of China's actions on international security.