US Probes Chinese Satellite Imagery Role in Iran Strike on Jordan Base

The United States is investigating whether Chinese satellite imagery helped Iran target a deadly missile strike on an American military base in Jordan, according to U.S. officials. The probe centers on whether high-resolution satellite images supplied by Chinese entities were used to plan and assess the July 17 attack on Muwaffaq al Salti Air Base, which killed three U.S. service members and wounded four others. U.S. officials told reporters that Iran obtained satellite images of the base before and after the strike, apparently to target a housing area where troops were sleeping and to assess the damage afterward. The officials described the imagery as the clearest evidence so far that Chinese support for Iran during the war has had lethal consequences for U.S. forces. However, they did not identify the specific Chinese entities involved and stopped short of accusing the Chinese government of direct involvement in the attack. The July 17 strike was one of three Iranian ballistic missile attacks on the base within 24 hours and marked the first U.S. military deaths since an April ceasefire. The victims were identified as Army Sgt. Angel S.