Iran Used Chinese Satellite to Target US Bases, Investigation Finds

Iran used a Chinese-built satellite to monitor US military bases ahead of strikes, according to a Financial Times investigation citing leaked documents. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Illustrative photo. Taiyuan Airport Satellite Image in 1968 (Photo Wikimedia Commons) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Iran used a Chinese-built satellite to monitor US military bases across the Middle East ahead of drone and missile strikes, according to a Financial Times investigation published on Wednesday, April 15. Leaked Iranian military documents reviewed by the newspaper indicate that the satellite, known as TEE-01B, was acquired by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in late 2024 after being launched from China. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . The satellite was used to capture images of key US military sites, including bases in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, and Iraq, before and after reported attacks in March, the report said. The system was built by Earth Eye Co and transferred to Iran under an “in-orbit delivery” model, allowing foreign customers to take control of satellites after launch. Iran’s IRGC was also granted access to ground infrastructure operated by Emposat, enabling it to control the satellite and receive imagery globally. Experts cited by the FT said the satellite significantly improved Iran’s ability to identify and monitor targets. “This satellite is clearly being used for military purposes,” said Nicole Grajewski, an Iran expert at Sciences Po. The satellite can capture imagery at roughly half-meter resolution, allowing analysts to identify aircraft and infrastructure – a major upgrade compared to Iran’s domestic systems. Iran’s previous satellite, Noor-3, was estimated to provide imagery at around 5-meter (16.4-feet) resolution, limiting its ability to track detailed military activity. Other Topics of Interest US Says Cuba May Be Complicit in Sending Fighters to Russia’s War in Ukraine A State Department report sent to Congress says up to 5,000 Cuban nationals may be fighting for Russia, raising concerns over Havana’s role in the Kremlin’s war. China links raise concerns The report highlights growing concerns in Washington over China’s role in supporting actors that threaten US interests in the Middle East. The FT previously reported that Chinese satellite companies had provided imagery to Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen. Analysts say the involvement of Chinese commercial companies reflects blurred lines between civilian and military space capabilities. China denied allegations of involvement, with its embassy in Washington accusing unnamed parties of spreading “disinformation.” US officials have not publicly confirmed the details of the report. On April 4, The Washington Post reported that a wave of sophisticated intelligence data detailing US military movements and base locations in the Middle East has flooded Western and Chinese social media platforms since the start of the war in Iran. The data, including locations of US bases, aircraft and naval assets, is compiled by Chinese private firms using artificial intelligence to analyze open-source information such as satellite imagery and flight tracking. While Beijing has officially called for de-escalation, analysts say these companies operate within a broader ecosystem supported by state-backed initiatives to integrate AI into defense capabilities. Experts warn that such firms can provide China with “plausible deniability,” allowing it to indirectly assist partners while maintaining a neutral public stance, as concerns grow in Washington over the expanding role of Chinese geospatial intelligence in regional security. Yuliia Zavadska is a news writer at Kyiv Post. She has experience in breaking news coverage, fact-checking, and digital journalism, with a focus on fast, accurate reporting and clear storytelling. Before joining Kyiv Post, she worked as a news feed editor for several leading Ukrainian media outlets.