A Chinese aerospace company sold a satellite to Iran that has been used to coordinate strikes on American military bases during the current conflict, a Financial Times investigation has revealed. Coordinate lists, timestamps, and orbital data analysis show that the Iranian-controlled satellite was monitoring key U.S. military facilities across the Middle East. Surveillance images were captured in March 2026, both immediately before and after drone and missile strikes on these targets.
Details of the Operation:
- The Hardware: The IRGC Aerospace Forces acquired the TEE-01B satellite in September 2024, shortly after it was launched from China. The satellite was built and launched by the Chinese firm Earth Eye Co.
- “Delivery in Orbit”: The sale utilized a rare service known as “delivery in orbit,” where a satellite is launched by a Chinese entity and then handed over to a foreign client once operational in space. This model effectively bypasses many traditional export controls.
- The Network: As part of the agreement, the IRGC gained access to data from the global network of ground stations owned by Beijing-based Emposat. This network, spanning Asia, Latin America, and other regions, allowed Iran to manage the satellite and download intelligence data in near real-time.
Iranian military documents obtained by the FT suggest that this technological support significantly enhanced the IRGC’s ability to conduct precision strikes, closing the gap between reconnaissance and kinetic action.
Analytical Summary: The exposure of direct technological cooperation between Chinese commercial entities and the IRGC places Beijing in a difficult position. Despite claims of neutrality, China has effectively provided Iran with the “eyes” needed to strike U.S. forces. This revelation is likely to trigger a new wave of sanctions against the Chinese tech sector and a forceful response from the Trump administration. The situation underscores a new model of proxy warfare: using commercial space services to grant non-superpowers elite-level military capabilities. Washington’s primary challenge will be finding a way to blind or jam these satellites without escalating into a direct conflict with China in outer space.