US Intelligence Links Chinese Satellite Imagery to Iranian Strike on Jordan Base

United States officials have drawn a direct line between Chinese sourced high resolution satellite imagery and an Iranian missile attack on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. The July 17 strike killed three American soldiers and wounded four others who were evacuated for treatment. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Iran obtained these images both before and after the assault. The imagery allowed Iran to publish detailed documentation of damage to more than 20 structures across three sections of the base, which exceeded the detail of available commercial satellite imagery.

Senior US figures have raised these findings with Chinese counterparts, who have rejected the allegations and demanded evidence. A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington accused unnamed parties of maliciously linking and smearing other countries. While the US has not confirmed direct involvement from the Chinese government, the Trump administration sanctioned three Chinese companies in May: MizarVision, Earth Eye, and Chang Guang. The State Department previously accused Chang Guang of providing imagery that supported Houthi militia attacks in Yemen.

Analysts and former officials suggest this imagery was likely one of several intelligence sources used by Iran, including human intelligence, Russian support, and Iranian satellites. A former CIA analyst noted that the flow of Chinese technology and data to Iran appears substantial in improving long range strike capabilities. This disclosure occurs ahead of a planned September 24 summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. A White House official stated that no outside assistance had improved Iran's ability to strike US targets, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to answer directly if China was feeding targeting data to Iran.