US President Donald Trump today devalued information that Chinese entities would have provided Tehran with satellite images of a military base in Jordan before and after an Iranian attack that killed three American soldiers.
© Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images
14/09/2026
by
Lusa
“ When they say that China spies on us, I say: they are right, and we also spy on them,” Trump told journalists on board the presidential Air Force One plane, the day after the Wall Street Journal reported the alleged sharing of information between Chinese and Iranian entities.
“This is what we do. Basically, they do what we do,” the American President added.
On July 17, Iran launched missiles against Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, where US forces are stationed. Three U.S. soldiers died in the attack.
Unidentified US officials quoted by the Wall Street Journal did not specify which Chinese entities involved or suggested that the Chinese Government be directly responsible.
According to the newspaper, US officials addressed the issue with Chinese counterparts, who asked for evidence of the transfer of satellite images and did not recognize the involvement of Chinese companies in their supply to Tehran.
In May, Washington imposed sanctions on three satellite companies based in China, accusing them of facilitating Iranian military operations.
China is one of Iran's main economic partners and buys a significant part of Iranian oil production, and is also an important diplomatic support from Tehran.
A state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the United States is scheduled for the end of September.