Iran used a Chinese-built satellite to monitor and target U.S. military bases across the Middle East during the recent conflict, the Financial Times reported, citing leaked Iranian military documents.

The TEE-01B satellite, developed and launched by Chinese company Earth Eye Co., was purchased by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) Aerospace Force in 2024 after China launched it into space, according to the report. 

Under the deal, the IRGC was given access to commercial ground stations run by Emposat, a Beijing-based company that provides satellite control and data services through a network across Asia, Latin America and other regions. 

Iranian commanders reportedly used the satellite to monitor Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, capturing images on March 13, 14 and 15. During that same period, President Donald Trump confirmed that American aircraft at the base were hit.

The report said the satellite also captured images of Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, sites near the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, and areas around Erbil airport in Iraq around the time of reported Iranian attacks.

China’s Foreign Ministry denied the report. “Recently, some forces have been keen on ​fabricating rumors and maliciously associating them to China,” the ministry said in a statement obtained by Reuters. “China firmly opposes this kind ‌of practice ⁠driven by ulterior motives.”

The Pentagon has not yet commented on the report.

President Donald Trump on Sunday warned countries that supply military equipment to Iran that they could face a possible 50% tariff on imports to the United States. He made the warning after reports emerged that China is preparing to deliver man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) to Iran within weeks.

“If we catch them doing that, they get a 50 percent tariff,” Trump said in an interview on Fox Business Network’s “Sunday Morning Futures” with Maria Bartiromo. 

Trump said he does not expect China to take such steps. “I doubt they would do that because I have a relationship and I think they wouldn’t,” he said.

The comments came days after it was reported that China played a quiet role in supporting efforts that led to a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

Previous reports have said Iran also received Russian intelligence satellite imagery of U.S. and Israeli targets following the start of a U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign on Feb. 28.