Donald Trump rejects rumors that China provided Iran with information about the United States

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday downplayed reports that Chinese entities had provided Iran with satellite imagery of a U.S. military base in Jordan before the attack that killed three American soldiers.

Iranian missiles struck Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in July, which hosts U.S. forces. According to U.S. officials quoted anonymously by the Wall Street Journal, the Chinese entities involved were not identified, and the information does not indicate direct responsibility by the government in Beijing.

Trump said espionage is a reciprocal practice among major powers and avoided saying whether he would discuss the incident with Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose visit to the White House is scheduled for September 24. China has not officially confirmed the meeting.

U.S. officials raised the issue with Chinese representatives, who requested evidence and did not acknowledge the involvement of Chinese entities. Trump's remarks come as the administration seeks to keep tensions with Beijing low, even though China is an important partner of Iran. In May, the United States sanctioned three Chinese satellite companies for cooperating with Iranian military entities.