Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East due to a joint war between the United States and Israel against Iran, that is keeping the region on its toes, reports suggest that Tehran acquired a China-made spy satellite to monitor and target US bases in the region. The development has come as the tension in the Gulf and Middle East continues to spiral, even though indirect dialogues between the diplomatic channels between the US and Iran continue to take place after the failed Islamabad talks, exploring options for a possible long-term ceasefire.
Meanwhile, a report by the Financial Times has suggested that Iran used a China-built spy satellite to monitor and surveillance US bases in the Middle East, to identify and lock targets.
The Financial Times reported, citing leaked Iranian military documents and satellite data.
As per reports, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force secretly acquired a Chinese satellite named TEE-01B in 2024. The satellite was launched by China and transferred via in-orbit delivery, a less-known export model.
The report cited various leaked documents, including time-stamped coordinate logs, imagery, and orbital analysis, suggesting that Iranian forces used this information to monitor and target US military assets in Gulf nations during the ongoing war.
The war first broke out when the US and Israel, in a joint attack, pounded Iran with more than 30 bombs on February 28, eliminating their Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, several of his key aides, and various family members. Iran, in retaliation, started targeting US bases and military assets in Gulf nations, including UAS, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, apart from Israel. In order to further pressure the United States, Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz – a strategic sea route that is very crucial for Asian and European nations for energy trade. The move disrupted global oil and gas supply, raising anxiety among nations not involved in the war and intensifying the conflict.
China’s Clarification on Providing Military Support to Iran
China has dismissed reports suggesting that it provided any sort of military support to Iran and termed them fabricated.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Chinese foreign affairs ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said, “Media reports accusing China of providing military support to Iran are purely fabricated. If the US goes ahead with tariff hikes on China on the basis of these accusations, China will respond with countermeasures.”
