Iran used a Chinese satellite to spy on and strike American military bases - FT

Iran secretly acquired a Chinese spy satellite at the end of 2024, which allowed it to target American military bases in the Middle East during the war, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, according to Reuters.

The TEE-01B satellite, launched from China and taken over by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) at the end of 2024, was used to monitor key American bases in the Middle East. Documents show that the satellite captured images of strategic locations, including Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, where American planes were attacked.

IRGC gained access to commercial ground stations for satellite control, operated by Emposat, a satellite control and data services provider based in Beijing.

Experts believe that the satellite represents a significant advancement in Iran's surveillance capabilities, having a resolution comparable to Western commercial imagery.

Additionally, recent agreements between Iran, China, and Russia suggest expanding military and technological cooperation. Chinese ministries and the companies involved have not commented on these revelations, and Beijing has denied allegations of involvement in escalating conflicts.