Trump says China ‘spies’ on US after report ties Chinese imagery to Iran strike
President Donald Trump acknowledged Sunday that China conducts surveillance operations against the United States, responding to a report linking Chinese satellite imagery to an Iranian missile strike that killed three American troops.
Trump made the remarks while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One after The Wall Street Journal reported that Chinese entities provided Iran with high-resolution satellite imagery of Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan before Tehran’s July 17 attack. The strike resulted in three U.S. military deaths, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions.
Trump’s Response on Espionage
“They basically do what we do,” Trump said when asked about the report. He added that China “spies on us” and that “we spy on them too,” characterizing the activity as a normal aspect of international relations.
Trump indicated he did not view the matter as a cause for immediate diplomatic tension, noting that Chinese President Xi Jinping has “behaved reasonably well” and that “we behave reasonably well.” When asked whether he planned to address the issue with Xi during an upcoming visit, Trump suggested a measured approach.
The Intelligence Assessment
U.S. officials have determined that the satellite imagery provided by Chinese entities directly supported Iran’s targeting of the Jordanian base, according to The Wall Street Journal. Officials described the link as the clearest evidence to date that Chinese support for Iran during the conflict has had lethal consequences for American forces.
The officials did not identify which Chinese entities were involved or allege that Beijing directly participated in planning the attack. The assessment underscores growing concerns about the scope of Chinese assistance to Tehran amid regional hostilities.
What Comes Next
Xi is scheduled to visit Washington on September 24 for a summit with Trump. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding whether the administration plans to discuss the satellite imagery matter during that meeting.
This story has been updated. CNN’s Washington Bureau contributed to this report.
