April 16, 2026 | 04:55 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Iran is reported to be using a Chinese-made spy satellite to target United States military bases in the Middle East in a war triggered by attacks by the U.S. and Israel. This was claimed by the British newspaper Financial Times on Wednesday, cited by Anadolu.
The media reported on a study based on leaked military documents, satellite images, and orbit analysis. The study revealed that the Chinese-made satellite was used to monitor U.S. military locations.
According to the analysis, the TEE-01B satellite, produced by the China-based company Earth Eye and launched at the end of 2024, was reportedly purchased by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) shortly after its launch.
Orbit checks showed that the spy satellite, capable of producing images with a resolution of about half a meter, was positioned above the U.S. military base during drone and missile attacks.
The monitored targets reportedly included U.S. military facilities in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, and Iraq.
The report mentioned that the satellite images were recorded just before and after drone and missile attacks, indicating that the satellite was likely used to help direct the attacks.
Iran is also said to have obtained permission to use ground stations owned by the Beijing-based company, Emposat. This allows Iran to access satellite data not only from its own territory, but also through a network stretching from Asia to Latin America.
Experts view this condition as a major development in Iran's military intelligence capabilities, and suggest that such a transfer of technology on such a scale is unlikely to occur without Beijing's approval.
Previously, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he was considering imposing a 50 percent tariff on countries that provide military support to Iran.
Read: Iran Warns It Will Block Red Sea If US Maintains Hormuz Blockade
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