Report: Chinese satellite images aided Iranian strike that killed 3 US troops in Jordan
Tehran obtained images of the Jordanian base before and after the attack, US officials say, without alleging direct involvement by Beijing
US officials have linked satellite imagery supplied to Iran by Chinese entities to an Iranian attack that killed three American troops at a base in Jordan, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday.
Tehran acquired high-resolution images of the installation both before and after the July attack, according to officials familiar with the incident. They described the findings as the strongest evidence yet that Chinese support for Iran during the war has had deadly consequences for American forces.
The officials declined to identify the suppliers and did not accuse the Chinese government of direct involvement.
The July 17 strike hit sleeping quarters at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in northeastern Jordan, killing three soldiers and wounding four others. It was one of three missile attacks on the installation within 24 hours.
Senior US officials raised the findings with Chinese counterparts, who rejected the allegations and demanded evidence, the Journal reported. China’s embassy in Washington did not answer the specific allegations, saying its cooperation with Iran complied with international law.
The findings could complicate relations ahead of President Donald Trump’s planned September 24 summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.