RismadarVoice Reporters
September 14, 2026
China has rejected reports that Chinese entities provided Iran with satellite intelligence before and after an Iranian missile attack on a military base hosting US troops in Jordan.
The reports, published by The Wall Street Journal, concerned the July 17 attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, which resulted in the deaths of three American soldiers.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun dismissed the allegations on Monday, describing them as baseless and demanding that accusations be supported by evidence.
“We firmly oppose groundless suspicion and accusations without evidence,” Guo said during a regular press briefing.
The Wall Street Journal report, citing unnamed US officials, did not identify the Chinese entities allegedly involved and did not accuse the Chinese government of directly providing the information to Iran.
According to the report, Chinese officials were asked by US authorities to provide evidence concerning the alleged transfer of satellite imagery but did not acknowledge that Chinese companies had supplied such material to Tehran.
US President Donald Trump also appeared to play down the allegations, saying espionage between major powers was not unusual.
“When they say that China spies on us, I say you’re right, and we spy on them too,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday.
The allegations come ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned visit to the White House on September 24, potentially adding another sensitive issue to US-China relations.
Washington has previously taken action against Chinese satellite companies over their alleged support for Iran. In May, the Trump administration sanctioned three China-based satellite firms, accusing them of facilitating Iran’s military activities.
China maintains close economic and diplomatic ties with Iran and remains one of the major buyers of Iranian oil.
Trump, however, said relations with Xi had remained relatively stable despite the latest allegations.
“He’s behaved reasonably well, and we behave reasonably well,” Trump said.
The US president has also previously warned Beijing against supplying weapons to Iran amid continuing tensions in the Middle East.
