Iran Acquires Chinese Spy Satellite to Monitor US Bases

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force secretly acquired a Chinese-built spy satellite in late 2024, using it to monitor and target U.S. military bases across the Middle East amid the ongoing regional conflict, according to leaked Iranian military documents cited in an investigation by the Financial Times.

The satellite, known as TEE01B, was constructed and launched into orbit from China by Earth Eye Co., a commercial aerospace firm focused on civilian applications such as agriculture and environmental monitoring. Under an in-orbit delivery arrangement, the IRGC gained control of the satellite after its launch, paying approximately 36.6 million for the system, including technical support and data services. As part of the deal, the IRGC secured access to ground stations operated by Emposat, a Beijing-based provider with a global network spanning Asia, Latin America, and other regions. This setup allowed Iranian commanders to remotely direct the satellite, capture high-resolution imagery at about 0.5 meters, and analyze data from multiple locations.

Leaked documents, including timestamped coordinate logs, satellite imagery, and orbital data, indicate the TEE01B...