China Denies Claim Iran Used Satellite to Target US

A satellite model is placed on a picture of Earth in this illustration taken November 25, 2024.

Iran allegedly obtained a Chinese-built satellite in late 2024 and used it to track US military bases across the Middle East during the ongoing conflict, according to a report based on leaked documents. Beijing has firmly rejected the claim, calling it false.

The satellite, identified as TEE-01B, was reportedly developed and launched by a Chinese firm and later acquired by the Aerospace Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The report cited documents suggesting Iranian commanders used the satellite to monitor key US military installations.

The material included time-stamped coordinates, satellite images and orbital data. The images were said to have been captured in March, both before and after drone and missile strikes on targeted locations.

Under the alleged arrangement, the IRGC also gained access to commercial ground stations operated by a Beijing-based satellite service provider with a global network, enabling control and data transmission.

China’s foreign ministry dismissed the allegations, accusing unnamed parties of spreading rumours and linking them to Beijing with ulterior motives. It reiterated opposition to what it described as disinformation targeting China.

There has been no independent verification of the claims. US authorities, including the White House, CIA and Pentagon, have not issued immediate responses. The companies named in the report also did not comment.

The report further suggested the satellite captured images of key regional bases, including sites in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain and Iraq, around the time of attacks claimed by the IRGC.