Is China secretly helping Iran track U.S. bases? Questionable ‘spy satellite’

New Delhi: Iran has used Chinese-made spy satellites to monitor and target US military bases in the Middle East during recent conflicts, the Financial Times said, citing leaked Iranian military documents and satellite data.At the same time, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied this statement, saying, “Media reports that China provides military support to Iran are purely fabricated. If the United States uses this as a reason to impose tariffs on China, China will definitely take countermeasures.”The report stated that the satellite, named TEE-01B, was secretly acquired by the Aerospace Forces of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps at the end of 2024 after being launched from China. The satellite was built by China’s Earth Eye Company and entered orbit via “on-orbit delivery”, a little-known export model.Leaked documents, including time-stamped coordinate logs, images and orbital analysis, show Iranian commanders used the satellite to monitor key U.S. military installations before and after missile and drone attacks in March.The Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia captured by satellites on March 13, 14 and 15 is one of the locations being monitored. On March 14, US President Trump confirmed that US aircraft stationed there had been attacked and five US Air Force tankers were damaged.The satellite also monitored areas near Muwafak Sarti Air Base in Jordan, U.S. Fifth Fleet Base in Manama, Bahrain, Erbil Airport in Iraq, and Camp Breen and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. Other targets include Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti and Duqm International Airport in Oman.The report further stated that civilian infrastructure in the Gulf was also observed, including the Khor Fakkan container port in the United Arab Emirates, the Qidfa power and desalination plant, and the Alba aluminum plant in Bahrain.Under the agreement, the IRGC gains access to ground control infrastructure operated by Emposat, a Beijing-based provider with a global network. This allows Iran to remotely operate satellites, receive imagery and direct missions from multiple locations.Documents show that in September 2024, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Aerospace Force agreed to pay approximately 250 million yuan (approximately $36.6 million) for the satellite system, including launch, technical support and data services.Experts say the satellite marks a major upgrade in Iran’s capabilities. “The satellite was clearly intended for military purposes, as it was operated by the Aerospace Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, not Iran’s civilian space program,” Nicole Graevski said. “In this war, Iran really needs this foreign-provided capability because it allows the IRGC to identify targets in advance and check whether its strikes are successful,” she added.The TEE-01B is capable of capturing images at a resolution of approximately half a meter, much clearer than earlier Iranian systems such as the Noor-3, which provided a resolution of approximately 5 meters and was unable to clearly identify detailed activities of aircraft or bases.Analysts say the arrangement also reflects a broader strategy to protect Iran’s space assets. “This amounts to a dispersion strategy for Iran’s space assets,” Jim Lamson said. “Iran’s satellite ground stations were attacked in 2025 and 2026 and could easily be hit by missiles a thousand miles away. You can’t just hit a Chinese ground station in another country,” he added.The Israeli military said it attacked multiple Iranian space and satellite-related facilities during the conflict, including a key research center related to Iran’s space program.The development comes as Iran, China and Russia deepen cooperation in space. China has positioned its commercial aerospace sector for civilian use, although analysts point to growing dual-use applications.U.S. officials have previously expressed concern that Chinese satellite companies help actors hostile to U.S. interests. The Financial Times earlier reported that Changguang Satellite Technology had provided imagery to the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.Emposat has also come under scrutiny for its ties to the Chinese military ecosystem. A report by the U.S. House of Representatives China Committee identified the company as having ties to the People’s Liberation Army Aerospace Force.“Emposat is a rising star in China’s commercial space sector, but it remains a product of the state and military establishment,” said Aidan Powers-Riggs. “It was founded by veterans of China’s national space program and funded by investments from the National Civil-Military Integration Fund.”Former U.S. intelligence officials also said Beijing’s support for Tehran may be part of broader strategic considerations. Dennis Wilder said China has historically provided military support to Iran, including anti-ship missiles used in the Strait of Hormuz.There are signs in the United States that China is considering supplying Iran with shoulder-fired missiles similar to the one reportedly used to shoot down a U.S. fighter jet, a person familiar with the matter said. The CIA declined to comment, and the White House did not address the satellite link issue directly.The Chinese Embassy in Washington said in response to a question, “We firmly oppose relevant parties spreading speculative and suggestive false information against China.” Spokesperson Liu Pengyu added, “We uphold an objective and fair stance, work hard to promote peace and talks, and never take actions that lead to the escalation of conflicts.”The findings underscore Washington’s growing concerns about the blurring lines between China’s commercial and military space capabilities and its potential role in conflicts in the Middle East.