CHINA on Monday, September 14, rejected as “groundless suspicion and accusations without evidence,” reports that its entities supplied Tehran with satellite images of a military base housing United States (US) troops in Jordan, before and after an Iranian strike killed three American soldiers.
The Wall Street Journal report over the weekend was in connection with the July 17 missile strikes launched by Iran on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.
Unnamed American officials cited in the Journal’s reporting did not name the Chinese entities involved, and did not suggest that Beijing was directly to blame.
The position was disclosed by the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, told a regular news conference on Monday.
US President, Donald Trump, sought to downplay the reports, which could deepen tensions ahead of a planned visit by Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, to the White House on September 24, saying: “You know, when they say that China spies on us, I say you’re right, and we spy on them too.”
Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, September 14: “That’s what we do. They basically do what we do.”
Chinese officials asked for proof of the transfer of satellite imagery when prodded by the US officials, and refused to acknowledge that Chinese companies were involved in providing Tehran with satellite images, the Journal reported late Friday.
Trump, in May, warned Beijing not to sell weapons to Iran, and Washington has sanctioned three China-based satellite companies for enabling Iran’s military operations.
China is a top economic partner of Iran, buying much of its oil output, and also an important diplomatic backer.
Trump, on Sunday, said Xi “has behaved reasonably well, and we behave reasonably well.”
