Leaked military documents reveal Iran acquired a Chinese satellite in late 2024 to monitor American military installations in the Middle East.
9:45 PM
Iran secretly acquired a Chinese spy satellite in late 2024 that was used to identify and monitor key U.S. military installations in the Middle East, according to leaked Iranian military documents reviewed by The Financial Times.
The satellite, designated TEE-01B and built by Chinese company Earth Eye, was received by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force following its launch from China. Once operational, the satellite was tasked with surveilling American military sites in the region.
Time-stamped imagery records show the satellite captured images of the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on March 13, 14, and 15. During that same period, Iran conducted drone and missile attacks on the base, damaging five U.S. Air Force refueling planes, according to the documents and reporting.
The Financial Times analyzed satellite images taken before and after Iranian attacks on multiple U.S. military facilities, establishing a pattern of surveillance preceding the strikes. The leaked documents indicate the satellite provided Iran with real-time or near-real-time intelligence on American military positions.
China, Iran's principal commercial partner and one of its most influential allies, has publicly condemned the war since the U.S. and Israeli offensive against Iran on February 28. However, both Tehran and Beijing have avoided commenting on the alleged support China may be providing to its Persian ally through the satellite transfer and its operational use.
The acquisition and deployment of the TEE-01B satellite represents a significant expansion of Iran's surveillance capabilities during the ongoing conflict. The satellite's use to monitor U.S. bases before attacks demonstrates Iran's ability to gather intelligence on American military positions in the region.
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