China has rejected reports that Chinese entities supplied Iran with satellite images of a military base housing US troops in Jordan before and after an Iranian missile strike that killed three American soldiers.
The Wall Street Journal reported over the weekend that the satellite imagery was linked to Iran’s July 17 missile strikes on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.
However, the unnamed US officials cited in the report did not identify the Chinese entities allegedly involved and did not accuse Beijing of directly supplying the imagery.
“We firmly oppose groundless suspicion and accusations without evidence,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a regular press conference on Monday.
Trump plays down China spying claims
US President Donald Trump sought to downplay the reports amid preparations for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned visit to the White House on September 24.
“You know, when they say that China spies on us, I say you’re right, and we spy on them too,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday.
“That’s what we do. They basically do what we do,” he added.
The Journal reported that Chinese officials asked US officials to provide evidence of the alleged transfer of satellite imagery but refused to acknowledge that Chinese companies had provided Tehran with the images.
The claims come amid heightened US scrutiny of China’s growing cooperation with Iran.
Trump has previously warned Beijing against selling weapons to Iran. In May, Washington sanctioned three China-based satellite companies over allegations that they enabled Iran’s military operations.
China-Iran ties under scrutiny
China remains a major economic partner of Iran, including as a significant buyer of Iranian oil, while also providing diplomatic backing to Tehran.
Despite the latest allegations, Trump described his relationship with Xi in relatively positive terms.
“He’s behaved reasonably well, and we behave reasonably well,” Trump said.
Trump also defended his administration’s restrictions on Chinese vehicles entering the US market when asked whether he would ever allow Chinese cars to be sold in America.
“I haven’t. I’m the one that kept them out. The tariffs kept them out,” he said.
