The Wall Street Journal reports that Iran held Chinese satellite images of Muwaffaq al-Salti Air Base in Jordan, taken before and after a July strike that killed three US soldiers. The revelation is fueling diplomatic tension between Washington and Beijing ahead of Xi Jinping's visit to the US.
According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Iran possessed Chinese satellite imagery of the Muwaffaq al-Salti Air Base in Jordan, taken both before and after the July 27 ballistic missile strike that killed three American soldiers. The report, cited by Israeli journalist Asaf Rozentzweig (N12), states that this issue is creating diplomatic tension between the United States and China as President Xi Jinping prepares for a state visit to Washington in less than two weeks.
The July strike on the base, which houses US forces, was one of the deadliest direct attacks on American personnel since the onset of the current Iran-US kinetic escalation. The Zioneer has previously reported on satellite imagery analyses showing damage to aircraft, hangars, and troop quarters at the base, with assessments suggesting scores of soldiers were wounded. Iranian ballistic missiles hit soldiers' living quarters and a sports hall, according to prior Wall Street Journal reports.
The revelation that Tehran obtained Chinese surveillance imagery of the base—from before the attack and after its aftermath—raises questions about Beijing's role and awareness regarding the strike. It also places the China-US relationship under additional strain at a sensitive diplomatic juncture.
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