Chinese Firms Gave Iran Images Before Deadly Strike

U.S. officials say Iran obtained high-resolution satellite imagery of a Jordanian air base from Chinese entities before the July 17 missile attack there that killed three American service members, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Iran acquired high-resolution satellite images of Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan from Chinese entities before its July 17 ballistic missile attack on the base, U.S. officials familiar with the incident told the Wall Street Journal.

The U.S. has "connected" that imagery to the strike, which hit a housing area and killed three U.S. troops. Officials said Iran used the images both before the attack and afterward, to inspect the damage.

The officials declined to name the Chinese companies involved and did not accuse the Chinese government of direct involvement. The WSJ called it the clearest evidence so far of Chinese support for Iran during the conflict.

The Dead

The attack killed Army Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, 28, of Ozone Park, New York; First Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Hawaii; and Pfc. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Texas. Four other U.S. service members were wounded.