US links Chinese satellite imagery to Iranian strike that killed 3 soldiers

From left: Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton, Texas; Sgt. Angel Rampersad, 28, of Ozone Park, New York; and 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, were killed in an Iranian attack at a base in Jordan. - Department of Defense

WASHINGTON, Sep 12: US officials have linked high-resolution satellite imagery allegedly supplied by Chinese entities to an Iranian missile strike in Jordan that killed three American soldiers and wounded four others, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

According to officials familiar with the matter, Iran obtained satellite imagery of the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan both before and after the July 17 attack. Iranian ballistic missiles struck a housing area at the base, where US troops were stationed.

The reported finding is being viewed by US officials as the clearest indication yet that Chinese assistance to Iran may have contributed to a deadly attack on American forces.

Washington has not accused the Chinese government of directly providing the imagery, and the Chinese entities allegedly involved have not been publicly identified. US officials reportedly raised the issue with their Chinese counterparts, who denied the allegations and demanded evidence.

China's Foreign Ministry has also rejected attempts to link Beijing to the conflict, accusing unnamed parties of seeking to associate China with the fighting.

The Wall Street Journal report comes ahead of a planned Sept. 24 meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The administration has reportedly sought to avoid escalating tensions with Beijing ahead of the summit.

Washington had already sanctioned three Chinese companies in May over the sale of satellite imagery to Iran. US officials are now also concerned that Chinese-supplied data could be helping Tehran track and target American warships in the region.

The developments underscore growing US concerns over Iran's ability to obtain foreign intelligence and improve the accuracy of its attacks against American military assets across the region.