Iran Deployed Chinese Satellite to Surveil US Military Installations During Conflict
According to an exclusive investigation by the Financial Times, Iran leveraged a sophisticated Chinese-built spy satellite to meticulously monitor and target United States military bases across the Middle East throughout the recent regional conflict. The report is based on a trove of leaked Iranian military documents and detailed satellite data analysis.
China Denies Allegations, Threatens Countermeasures
In response to these serious allegations, a spokesperson from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a firm rebuttal. "Media reports accusing China of providing military support to Iran are purely fabricated," the spokesperson stated. The statement further warned, "If the US goes ahead with tariff hikes on China on the basis of these accusations, China will respond with countermeasures."
The Satellite: A Covert 'In-Orbit Delivery'
The satellite in question, identified as the TEE-01B, was constructed by the Chinese firm Earth Eye Co. It was secretly acquired by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force in late 2024 following its launch from China. The transfer was executed using an obscure export model known as "in-orbit delivery."
Leaked documents, which include time-stamped coordinate logs, satellite imagery, and orbital analysis, provide compelling evidence. They show that Iranian military commanders utilized this satellite to conduct surveillance on critical US military installations both before and after missile and drone strikes carried out in March.
Extensive Surveillance of US Bases and Civilian Sites
The satellite's surveillance was remarkably extensive. Among the primary targets was the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. The satellite captured images of this base on March 13, 14, and 15. Notably, on March 14, US President Donald Trump confirmed that US aircraft stationed there had been struck, resulting in damage to five US Air Force refueling planes.
The list of surveilled locations is extensive and includes:
- Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan
- Areas adjacent to the US Fifth Fleet base in Manama, Bahrain
- Erbil airport in Iraq
- Camp Buehring and Ali Al Salem air base in Kuwait
- Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti
- Duqm International Airport in Oman
Furthermore, the satellite also monitored civilian infrastructure across the Gulf region. This included the Khor Fakkan container port and the Qidfa power and desalination plant in the United Arab Emirates, as well as the Alba aluminium production facility in Bahrain.
Operational Control and Financial Details
Under the terms of the agreement, the IRGC gained access to ground control infrastructure operated by Emposat, a Beijing-based satellite service provider with a global network. This access enabled Iranian forces to operate the satellite remotely, receive high-resolution imagery, and direct surveillance missions from multiple locations.
Financial documents reveal that in September 2024, the IRGC Aerospace Force agreed to a payment of approximately Rmb250 million (around $36.6 million). This sum covered the satellite system, its launch, technical support, and ongoing data services.
A Major Capability Upgrade for Iran
Security experts emphasize that this satellite represents a significant technological leap for Iran's military intelligence capabilities. "This satellite is clearly being used for military purposes, as it is being run by the IRGC's Aerospace Force and not Iran's civilian space programme," said analyst Nicole Grajewski.
She added, "Iran really needs this foreign-provided capability during this war, as it allows the IRGC to identify targets ahead of time and check the success of its strikes."
The TEE-01B satellite is capable of capturing imagery at a resolution of roughly half a meter. This is a dramatic improvement over Iran's earlier systems, such as the Noor-3, which offered only about 5-meter resolution and could not clearly identify specific aircraft or detailed activities at military bases.
Strategic Dispersion and Broader Geopolitical Cooperation
Analysts suggest this arrangement is part of a broader Iranian strategy to protect its space-based assets. "This amounts to a dispersion strategy for Iran's space assets," explained Jim Lamson. "Iran's satellite ground stations, which were hit in 2025 and 2026, can be hit very easily by missiles from a thousand miles away. You can't just hit a Chinese ground station located in another country."
This development occurs amidst deepening cooperation between Iran, China, and Russia in the space domain. While China officially positions its commercial space sector as civilian, analysts consistently point to the increasing prevalence of dual-use applications that blur the line between commercial and military technology.
Scrutiny on Chinese Firms and Historical Support
US officials have long expressed concerns about Chinese satellite firms providing support to actors hostile to American interests. The Financial Times had previously reported that another Chinese firm, Chang Guang Satellite Technology, had provided imagery to Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Emposat, the provider in this case, has also drawn significant scrutiny for its connections to China's military establishment. A report by the US House China committee identified Emposat as having links to the People's Liberation Army Aerospace Force.
"Emposat is a rising star in China's commercial space sector, but it's still a product of the state and military establishment," said Aidan Powers-Riggs. "It was founded by veterans of China's state-run space programme and bankrolled by investment from national military-civil fusion funds."
Former US intelligence officials suggest Beijing's support for Tehran may be part of a larger strategic plan. Dennis Wilder noted that China has a history of providing Iran with military support, including anti-ship missiles used in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
One source familiar with the matter indicated the US had intelligence suggesting China was considering supplying shoulder-fired missiles to Iran, similar to those reportedly used to down a US fighter jet. The Central Intelligence Agency declined to comment on the satellite allegations, and the White House did not directly address the specific link.
China's Official Stance and Broader Implications
When questioned, China's embassy in Washington reiterated its position. Spokesperson Liu Pengyu stated, "We firmly oppose relevant parties spreading speculative and insinuative disinformation against China." He added, "We uphold an objective and impartial stance, and have made efforts to promote peace talks. We never engage in actions that escalate conflicts."
These findings highlight the growing alarm in Washington regarding the increasingly blurred boundaries between China's commercial and military space capabilities. The potential role of this advanced technology in fueling and facilitating conflicts in the Middle East remains a critical concern for global security analysts and policymakers.
