US officials have confirmed that Iran obtained high-resolution satellite imagery from Chinese sources before and after a missile strike on a Jordan airbase on July 17. This acquisition of advanced surveillance capabilities raises concerns about Iran’s military operations and regional security dynamics.
The officials did not identify the Chinese entities that supplied the imagery and stopped short of accusing the Chinese government of directly assisting the attack.
The revelation comes at a sensitive moment for Washington and Beijing, with US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping expected to meet on September 24. Iranian access to high-resolution imagery was particularly significant because US strikes earlier in the war had damaged Iranian radar, satellites and other surveillance equipment, limiting Tehran’s ability to monitor American military positions, according to the Journal report. In recent days, Iran has launched ballistic missiles towards a US aircraft carrier and other warships.
But US officials said Iranian targeting accuracy improved during the summer. Jim Lamson, a former CIA analyst specialising in Iranian military affairs and weapons, said high-resolution imagery could help Iran identify changes at a military facility and select “the most impactful targets at the right time”. The Chinese imagery was likely only one part of Iran’s intelligence picture, analysts and former officials said. US Central Command said the attacks failed, but American officials said some missiles came close to their targets, raising concerns about Tehran’s improving ability to strike moving vessels. Congressional officials said the Trump administration has also briefed members of the House and Senate intelligence committees in recent weeks about intelligence on support that Russia and China are providing to Iran.
US officials have sought to avoid a public confrontation with China that could jeopardise the summit. Iran initially appeared to have difficulty identifying high-value US targets, with its forces frequently striking less important locations. Tehran also has its own satellite capabilities and access to information from human sources and Russian satellite systems.