WASHINGTON: Recent US intelligence assessments say Chinese satellite data helped Iran improve its targeting of American military sites and ships in the Middle East, four sources briefed on the assessments told CNN.
The sources said imagery supplied by Chinese groups contributed to a July Iranian strike on a US base in Jordan. Three American service members were killed.
Chinese geospatial information has also helped Iranian forces track vessels moving through the Strait of Hormuz, according to US officials. They said Tehran used the information to better time launches of heat-seeking drones towards ships.
However, officials differed over the scale of Chinese assistance. They also said it remained unclear whether China’s government directed the support or merely allowed Chinese groups to provide it.
Russia has provided separate assistance to Tehran, while US officials said Iran’s growing combat experience has improved its effectiveness.
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China has rejected accusations surrounding satellite support. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun previously said Beijing fulfilled its international obligations and opposed attempts to “throw mud at China”.
The US Defense Department declined to comment on the intelligence assessments. Iranian diplomatic officials provided no response before publication, while the White House did not answer a request for comment.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio has previously said Chinese actions had not changed the course of the US-Iran conflict and described Beijing as cooperative in some areas.
Recent US intelligence assessments described to CNN say data from Chinese groups helped Iran improve targeting of US bases and ships, although officials remain uncertain about Beijing’s role.
