Iran acquired Chinese satellite to monitor US bases during conflict, reports FT

Tehran [Iran], April 15 (ANI): Amid a stalemate in diplomatic negotiations to secure a complete halt to hostilities in West Asia, and with a fragile ceasefire currently in place, a new development has emerged that could significantly impact regional security and the broader geopolitical landscape.

Despite China denying reports that it assisted Iran in countering US and Israeli forces during the recent hostilities, a report by the Financial Times claimed that Tehran secretly acquired a Chinese-built satellite, significantly enhancing its capability to monitor and potentially target US military installations across the region during the conflict.

According to the report, leaked Iranian military documents indicate that the satellite, identified as TEE-01B, was acquired by the Aerospace Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in late 2024 after being launched from China.

The investigation, based on time-stamped coordinates, satellite imagery, and orbital data, found that Iranian commanders tasked the satellite with tracking key US military sites. The images were reportedly captured in March, both before and after drone and missile strikes on those locations, the Financial Times reported.

According to the report, the satellite was developed and launched by Chinese firm Earth Eye Co., which operates an “in-orbit delivery” model, allowing spacecraft to be transferred to foreign clients after deployment. The Financial Times noted that the satellite conducted surveillance of several key locations, including Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, where US aircraft were reportedly struck in March.

Despite repeated claims by the US that China had helped Iran during the conflict, Beijing has refuted the allegations. Earlier on Wednesday, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed media reports suggesting that China provided military aid to Iran.

According to spokesperson Lin Jian, the reports are “fabricated,” and any measures taken by the US against China based on these claims would be met with countermeasures from Beijing.

“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,” the spokesperson said.

Last week, US President Donald Trump warned against any country supplying military weapons to Iran, stating that he would impose a 50 percent tariff on all goods exported to the United States.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the measure would be “effective immediately,” noting that there would be no “exclusions or exemptions.”

“A country supplying military weapons to Iran will be immediately tariffed, on any and all goods sold to the United States of America, 50 percent, effective immediately. There will be no exclusions or exemptions!” the post read. (ANI)