Published : 13 Sep 2026, 12:08 AM
Updated : 16 Sep 2026, 11:50 AM
US officials have linked high-resolution satellite imagery supplied by Chinese entities to an Iranian missile strike that killed three American soldiers in Jordan in July, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Tehran obtained the imagery before and after the Jul 17 attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, where ballistic missiles struck a housing area, killing three US troops and wounding four others, the American newspaper said.
The WSJ said the finding is the clearest indication yet that Chinese assistance to Iran during the war has had deadly consequences for US forces.
Washington has not accused Beijing of direct involvement, and the identities of the Chinese suppliers remain undisclosed, it added.
US officials reportedly raised the matter with their Chinese counterparts, who denied the allegations and demanded evidence.
China’s foreign ministry also accused unnamed parties of trying to link Beijing to the conflict.
The finding comes weeks before US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are due to meet on Sept 24.
The administration has sought to avoid public friction with Beijing that could jeopardise the summit, according to the WSJ.
Washington sanctioned three Chinese firms in May over imagery sales to Iran, the report said, adding that US officials are now also concerned Chinese data may be helping Tehran target American warships in the region.
