Financial Times reports that Iran secretly used a Chinese-made spy satellite to improve its ability to target U.S. military bases across the Middle East during the recent conflict.
According to the report, Tehran acquired the satellite (TEE-01B) in late 2024 through a space unit linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iran’s most powerful military organization.
Leaked documents suggest the satellite was later used to monitor key U.S. military installations in the region, producing real-time imagery and geolocation data.
The information was reportedly used both before and after Iranian drone and missile strikes to assist in attack planning and damage assessment.
Sources cited by the Financial Times said this capability gave Iran a significant advantage in targeting U.S. assets during the conflict.
The satellite, also referred to as “Earth Eye 1,” was developed by Changguang for Beijing-based tech company Mumei Xingkong.
