The Financial Times reported on Wednesday, April 15 that Iran secretly purchased a Chinese-made spy satellite at the end of 2024, which was later used during the recent Middle East conflict to track U.S. military bases in the region.
The report cites Iranian military documents stating that the satellite, named TEE-01B, was manufactured and launched by Beijing-based Earth Eye Co., Ltd., and subsequently taken over for use by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force.
According to disclosed timestamped coordinate lists, satellite imagery, and orbital analysis data, the Iranian military ordered the satellite to be used for continuous surveillance of key U.S. military facilities in the Middle East. The images were taken in March this year, and the corresponding sites were reportedly attacked by drones and missiles in the periods before and after.
The Financial Times also noted that between March 13 and 15, the satellite imaged Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. U.S. President Donald Trump previously confirmed on March 14 that U.S. aircraft at the base had been attacked.
In addition, as part of the deal, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps also gained access to a commercial ground station network operated by the Chinese company Emposat. The company primarily provides satellite control and data services, with its network covering Asia, Latin America, and other regions.
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Regarding the allegations, the White House has not yet responded to claims about the relationship between Emposat and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. However, a White House spokesperson stated that Trump had warned that if the Chinese Communist Party supplies Iran with air defense systems, it would face “serious consequences.”
On Wednesday, Trump said in an interview with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo that after reports claimed the Chinese Communist Party planned to provide military assistance to Iran, he exchanged letters with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who denied supplying weapons to Iran during the U.S.–Iran conflict.
Trump previously stated that countries supplying weapons to Tehran would face a 50 percent tariff.
By Gan Yun
