Iran used a Chinese satellite to monitor US military bases in the Middle East, including the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, which was battered in an Iranian drone attack. The locations monitored include Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Bahrain and Djibouti, and included US military bases as well as some infrastructure, the report said.
The Islamic Republic Guards Corps purchased the Chinese satellite, known as TEE-01B, in 2024. The satellite was purchased from China. “This satellite is clearly being used for military purposes, as it is being run by the IRGC’s Aerospace Force and not Iran’s civilian space program,” Nicole Grajewski, an expert on Iran at Sciences Po university, told the Financial Times.
The report revealed that time-stamped coordinate lists, satellite imagery and orbital analysis showed Iranian commanders used the satellite to monitor key US military sites and most of the images were taken in March before and after drone and missile strikes on those locations. “Iran really needs this foreign-provided capability during this war, as it allows the IRGC to identify targets ahead of time and check the success of its strikes,” Grajewski added.
Iran used the satellite to take images of Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, among other locations, on March 13, 14 and 15, and on March 14. The attack caused heavy damage to the base, including US planes. US President Donald Trump said US aircraft at the base had been hit, with five Air Force refuelling planes damaged.
Another part of the report states that the satellite was not limited to military targets, but also monitored some civilian infrastructure in the Persian Gulf region. These targets include the Khorfakkan container port and power and desalination facilities in the United Arab Emirates.
The Alba facility in Bahrain, one of the largest aluminum production complexes in the world, was also among the centers monitored by this satellite.
According to the Financial Times, this level of satellite surveillance could lead to increased precision of attacks and an expanded range of potential targets in the region. “This surveillance capability has helped the Islamic Republic attack its targets with greater precision.”
This comes amid reports that Beijing intends to transfer systems to Iran that could strengthen the Islamic Republic's defence capabilities. The report said it is likely that the transfer of this equipment will be carried out through third countries to keep China's role hidden. The systems in question include shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles that can threaten American and Israeli aircraft at low altitudes.
Chinese officials have denied the report. A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington said: "China has never provided weapons to any party to this conflict, and this report is incorrect.”
