# US-Iran-China tensions over military strikes and imagery > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-iran-china-tensions-over-military-strikes-and-imagery > Updated: 2026-09-14T05:13:39.000Z. Sources: 62. Developments: 4. U.S. officials have linked high-resolution satellite imagery from Chinese entities to an Iranian ballistic missile attack on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. The July 17 strike targeted a residential area, resulting in the deaths of three U.S. service members and injuring four others. Reports indicate that Iran used this imagery both before and after the strike to identify targets and evaluate effectiveness. While Washington has flagged these findings to Beijing, it has not directly accused the Chinese government of participation or named specific companies. China has denied the allegations, stating that critics are “maliciously attempting to involve Beijing in regional conflicts.” Recent intelligence has identified specific Chinese commercial satellite firms as the providers of the imagery used during the strike. The State Department has previously sanctioned several China-based firms, including Meentropy Technology, The Earth Eye, and Chang Guang Satellite Technology, for providing imagery that could be used against U.S. forces. On September 14, U.S. President Donald Trump downplayed reports regarding Chinese satellite aid to Iran. Responding to inquiries, Trump characterized such intelligence activities as standard practice, stating, “Basically, they do what we do. And we spy on them, too.” These tensions escalate ahead of a scheduled meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 24. In a separate development, declassified footage has revealed a high-risk U.S. military rescue operation in southern Isfahan, Iran, to recover two Air Force officers, codenamed ‘Alpha’ and ‘Bravo,’ after their fighter jets were downed. ## Claims - Donald Trump stated that both the United States and China engage in espionage against each other. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Chinese entities allegedly provided Iran with satellite imagery of the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The satellite imagery was obtained before and after an Iranian missile attack on the Jordanian base in July. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The July missile attack on the Jordanian base resulted in the deaths of three American soldiers. (corroborated by 4 sources) - U.S. officials have not identified the specific Chinese entities involved or directly held the Chinese government responsible. (corroborated by 4 sources) - President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit the White House on September 24. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The U.S. imposed sanctions on three Chinese satellite companies in May for supporting Iranian military operations. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Donald Trump described Chinese President Xi Jinping as acting reasonably. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-14: Donald Trump downplays reports of Chinese satellite data provided to Iran Donald Trump downplayed reports of Chinese entities providing Iran with satellite imagery of a U.S. base in Jordan, calling the espionage between the two nations a mutual practice. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-downplays-reports-of-chinese-satellite-aid-to-iran ### 2026-09-14: Chinese satellite firms allegedly supplied Iran imagery for US base strike US officials report that Chinese satellite firms provided Iran with high-resolution imagery used in a July 17 missile strike on a US air base in Jordan, which killed three American service members. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chinese-satellite-firms-allegedly-supplied-iran-imagery-for-us-base-strike ### 2026-09-13: U.S. military conducts rescue in Iran amid claims of Chinese intelligence support for Iranian strikes Declassified footage shows U.S. forces rescuing two downed pilots in Iran, while officials claim China provided satellite imagery used by Iran in a deadly missile strike on a U.S. base in Jordan. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-military-conducts-rescue-in-iran-amid-claims-of-chinese-intelligence-support-for-iranian-strikes ### 2026-09-12: China imagery linked to deadly Iranian attack on US base in Jordan U.S. officials report that Chinese satellite imagery helped Iran conduct a July 17 missile attack on a Jordanian air base, killing three Americans, amid rising tensions before the Trump-Xi summit. 50 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-inflation-data-and-brazil-election-polls-drive-market-and-political-focus --- Cite as: US-Iran-China tensions over military strikes and imagery. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-iran-china-tensions-over-military-strikes-and-imagery