China rejects report Chinese entities gave Iran base images

China on Monday rejected reports that Chinese entities supplied Iran with satellite images of a military base in Jordan before and after an Iranian strike killed three US soldiers.

The Wall Street Journal reported over the weekend, citing unnamed American officials, that Chinese entities supplied Tehran with satellite images of Muwaffaq Salti Air Base before and after Iran launched missile strikes on the base on July 17.

The officials cited by the Journal did not identify the Chinese entities involved and did not suggest Beijing was directly to blame.

“We firmly oppose groundless suspicion and accusations without evidence,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a regular news conference.

US President Donald Trump sought to downplay the issue on Sunday aboard Air Force One. “You know, when they say that China spies on us, I say you're right, and we spy on them too,” he said. “That's what we do. They basically do what we do.”

The Journal reported that Chinese officials asked US officials for proof of the satellite imagery transfer and refused to acknowledge that Chinese companies were involved.

The issue could add to tensions before a planned September 24 White House visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump said Sunday that Xi had “behaved reasonably well” and that the United States had done the same.

Trump has warned Beijing not to sell weapons to Iran. In May, Washington sanctioned three China-based satellite companies for enabling Iran's military operations.

China is a major economic partner of Iran, buys much of its oil output and is an important diplomatic backer of Tehran.