Iran used Chinese satellites to target Jordan base where three US soldiers died: Report

China reportedly provided Iran with high-resolution satellite imagery of a U.S. military base in Jordan shortly before an Iranian attack that killed three American service members, raising concerns about Beijing’s support for Tehran ahead of a planned summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.The imagery was obtained before and after Iran’s July 17 attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, according to the Wall Street Journal. U.S. officials have linked the imagery to the Iranian strike but have not publicly identified the Chinese entities involved or alleged that the Chinese government directly authorized the assistance. The attack killed Army 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii; Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton, Texas; and Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, 28, of Ozone Park, New York. A U.S. Army carry team moves a transfer case containing the remains of 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) All three were assigned to Army air defense units. Chinese officials pushed back and demanded evidence, while Beijing has repeatedly denied that Chinese companies are providing Iran with imagery for military targeting.The Trump administration had previously warned that Chinese companies were providing satellite imagery that Iran could use to target U.S. forces and military assets in the region. In May, the administration sanctioned several Chinese companies, including MizarVision, Earth Eye, and Chang Guang, accusing them of providing, collecting, or publishing imagery that could be used to target American forces.The State Department had also previously accused Chang Guang of providing satellite imagery that directly supported attacks by Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, calling the alleged assistance “unacceptable.”SEPT. 11 IN PHOTOS: WASHINGTON EXAMINER PHOTOGRAPHER GRAEME JENNINGS SHARES HIS IMAGES FROM THE AFTERMATH OF 9/11The July attack marked the first U.S. military fatalities from direct Iranian fire since the April ceasefire and demonstrated Iran’s continued ability to strike U.S. positions despite American air defenses.The newly reported satellite imagery is likely to add another point of tension between Washington and Beijing as Trump prepares to meet with Xi for a summit scheduled for Sept. 24.