Iran has secretly obtained a Chinese-built spy satellite, significantly enhancing its ability to monitor US military installations across the Middle East, according to a Financial Times report. The satellite, identified as TEE-01B and developed by Earth Eye Co, was reportedly acquired by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force in late 2024 after its launch from China.
The report, which cites leaked Iranian military documents, says IRGC commanders used the satellite to track American bases during recent regional hostilities. Furthermore, time-stamped coordinates, orbital data, and satellite imagery allegedly show surveillance activity over key US military positions. These images were reportedly captured in March, around the time of drone and missile exchanges targeting multiple facilities.
Meanwhile, officials from the White House, CIA, Pentagon, and Chinese government have not responded to requests for comment. In addition, companies linked to the satellite’s operation, including Earth Eye Co and Emposat, also remained silent on the allegations.
According to the report, the IRGC gained access to Emposat’s commercial ground station network, which spans several regions including Asia and Latin America. Consequently, Iranian forces were able to process satellite data more effectively for military intelligence purposes.
The satellite is said to have monitored Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia over several days in March. It also tracked Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, along with areas near the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and Erbil airport in Iraq. Notably, some of these locations coincided with reported IRGC-linked attacks.
Meanwhile, separate reports suggest China may have considered supplying Iran with air defense systems, although Beijing has denied providing weapons to any party in the conflict. As a result, tensions over external involvement in the war continue to grow.
