Chinese Intelligence Support to Iran: Satellites Enhance Precision in Targeting U.S. Bases

Leaked U.S. intelligence assessments reveal that Chinese intelligence support, along with satellite imagery, has helped Iran enhance its capability to target U.S. military bases and ships in the Middle East, as Tehran’s targeting abilities have seen notable improvements over recent months.

Four sources told CNN that Chinese satellite images assisted Iran in precisely targeting a U.S. base in Jordan in July, during an attack that killed three American service members. U.S. officials believe Tehran would not have achieved such precision without this data.

Chinese geospatial data has also enhanced Iran’s ability to track ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, increasing the chances for Iranian drones and missiles to hit their targets.

Two sources said this data also helped determine the timing of launching relatively simple heat-seeking drones that cannot be guided mid-flight.

Satellite Imagery Is Changing Iran’s Tactics

According to sources, Chinese support helps explain the gradual improvement in Iran’s targeting accuracy during recent attack waves, though it is not the sole factor. Officials noted that Russia also provides assistance to Tehran, while accumulated combat experience from ongoing conflict has improved Iranian forces’ performance.

U.S. officials said it is difficult to accurately assess the scale of Chinese assistance, especially given uncertainty over whether the Chinese government explicitly ordered it or merely allowed it tacitly, plus discrepancies among officials regarding Beijing’s level of support.

In the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has continued targeting U.S. military vessels accompanying commercial ships, as well as commercial vessels themselves, using large numbers of heat-seeking drones.

Two sources said the technology used in these drones is not highly advanced, but Iranian forces have shown increasing ability to track U.S. escort operations with help from Chinese satellite imagery, then launch attacks at optimal times.

During one recent escort operation, U.S. forces intercepted more than ten Iranian missiles and shot down around 20 drones, while simultaneously conducting offensive operations against approximately 60 targets near the strait, according to one official.

Washington Aims to Limit the Support

Besides intelligence support, technical aid from China and Russia has enabled Iran to improve missile and drone guidance systems. U.S. officials said Chinese intelligence data was decisive in certain cases, including the attack on the U.S. base in Jordan.

One source said: "There is a reason behind their improved targeting capabilities—they’ve received some form of assistance. The experience gained from repeated operations on the battlefield helps, but receiving external support helps a lot too."

The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Iran used Chinese satellite data in the July attack on the base in Jordan.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated: "China always strictly fulfills its international obligations. We oppose the use of conflicts to tarnish China's image."

In May, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on three Chinese satellite companies, accusing them of providing images that "enable the Iranian military to carry out strikes against U.S. forces in the Middle East."

Iranian Improvements Spark Concern

As the U.S. war enters its seventh month, officials say Iran continues to adapt its tactics to sustain threats against U.S. assets in the region. One source said Iran is "intensely and repeatedly" shooting down MQ-9 Reaper drones.

Another source said: "They’re getting better because we’ve essentially given them more time to train," adding that China has also sent Iran aid including air defense systems.

According to officials, the U.S. military faces challenges against low- to medium-altitude missiles and drones, prompting Washington to strengthen defenses at certain military and diplomatic sites in the Middle East.

According to a recent report by the U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General, "Iranian strikes have damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings and facilities" at U.S. bases in the Middle East during the early months of the war.

Iran’s access to dual-use components also concerns U.S. officials, with one stating: "Without Chinese components, they likely wouldn’t have been able to continue fighting—period."