Iran secretly acquired a Chinese spy satellite in late 2024 that enabled it to target United States military bases across the Middle East during the recent war, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. The TEE-01B satellite — built and launched by Chinese company Earth Eye Co — was obtained by the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) after being sent into orbit from China, the report said, citing leaked Iranian military documents.
Iranian commanders used the satellite to monitor major US military sites, the FT said, citing time-stamped coordinate lists, satellite imagery and orbital analysis. The images were captured in March, before and after drone and missile strikes on those locations. As part of the arrangement, the IRGC was granted access to commercial ground stations operated by Emposat, a Beijing-based satellite control and data services provider with a global network.
Key US Bases Monitored
According to the FT report, the satellite captured images of Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on March 13, 14 and 15. On March 14, President Donald Trump confirmed US aircraft at the base had been hit, with reports indicating five KC-135 refueling aircraft were damaged.
The report added that the satellite also tracked:
- Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan
- Locations near the US Fifth Fleet naval base in Manama, Bahrain
- Erbil airport in Iraq around the time of IRGC-claimed attacks
Technical Capabilities
The TEE-01B satellite reportedly has a resolution capability of around 0.5 meters, significantly improving Iran’s targeting precision compared to its earlier space assets like the “Noor-3” satellite, which had much lower imaging clarity. The enhanced resolution enables the identification of aircraft, vehicles, and infrastructure changes, providing Iran with strategic awareness it previously lacked .
Cost and Arrangement
The report claims that Iran paid approximately $36.6 million for the satellite system, including launch services, technical support, and ground infrastructure . As part of the deal, the IRGC received access to Emposat’s commercial ground stations, which have a network extending across Asia, Latin America, and other regions .
Civilian Infrastructure Also Monitored
The surveillance reportedly extended beyond military targets to include critical civilian infrastructure in Gulf states, such as major desalination plants in the UAE and large aluminum smelters in Bahrain . This suggests Iran was gathering intelligence on a wide range of potential targets.
Chinese Response
Responding to the report, the Chinese embassy in Washington said: “We firmly oppose relevant parties spreading speculative and insinuative disinformation against China” . Beijing denied any involvement in military targeting operations and stated that it remains committed to promoting peace and stability.
US Response
The White House declined to comment on Emposat’s alleged links with the IRGC but referred to remarks by President Trump, who warned at the weekend that China would face “big problems” if it supplied Iran with air defence systems .
Independent Verification
Reuters could not independently verify the report. The White House, Central Intelligence Agency, Pentagon, as well as China’s foreign and defence ministries and its embassy in Washington, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Earth Eye Co and Emposat also did not respond to requests for comment .
Strategic Implications
The report, if accurate, represents a significant development in the conflict, suggesting that Iran’s targeting capabilities have been enhanced through Chinese technology. The TEE-01B satellite provides Iran with imagery resolution far superior to its indigenous satellites, potentially altering the strategic balance in the region .
Broader Context
The report comes as diplomatic efforts continue to end the war, with the US and Iran potentially resuming talks in Pakistan. Meanwhile, the US military has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports, and the ceasefire remains intact as negotiations continue.
