China has strongly rejected a Financial Times report claiming that Beijing provided covert satellite support to Iran, enabling it to monitor and target US military bases across the Middle East during the ongoing conflict.
China rejects US intelligence-based reports it is preparing to supply air defence systems to Iran, calling the allegations “baseless smears”https://t.co/1TWeMgowrL pic.twitter.com/qe83RT6MnC
— TRT World (@trtworld) April 13, 2026
The Financial Times report, citing leaked Iranian military documents, alleged that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps acquired a Chinese-made spy satellite (TEE-01B) in late 2024. The satellite was reportedly used to track major US bases, including Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, and facilities near the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and Erbil in Iraq.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun dismissed the allegations as “fabricated rumours” driven by ulterior motives. “China firmly opposes this kind of practice,” the statement said.
The Chinese embassy in Washington also rejected the claims, calling them “speculative and insinuative disinformation.”
Reuters was unable to independently verify the Financial Times report. The White House, CIA, Pentagon, and the companies involved (Earth Eye Co and Emposat) did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The controversy comes amid heightened tensions following US and Israeli strikes on Iran that began on February 28. President Donald Trump had earlier warned that China would face “big problems” if it supplied Iran with air defence systems.
Pakistan has been actively involved in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict, including hosting recent talks between US and Iranian delegations in Islamabad.
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