China rejects claims it supplied Iran intelligence before deadly strike on US troops

China has rejected reports alleging that Chinese entities supplied Iran with satellite imagery of a military base housing American troops in Jordan before and after a deadly Iranian strike.

Beijing described the allegations as groundless after reports linked Chinese entities to satellite images allegedly provided to Tehran around the time of Iran’s July 17 missile strikes on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.

Three American soldiers were killed in the attack.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun rejected the allegations during a news conference on Monday, saying Beijing opposed accusations made without evidence.

The reports did not identify the Chinese entities allegedly involved or claim that the Chinese government itself directly supplied the intelligence.

US President Donald Trump also played down the allegations while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One.

The controversy comes at a sensitive point in relations between Washington and Beijing, with Chinese leader Xi Jinping scheduled to visit the White House on September 24.

The United States has previously warned Beijing against supplying weapons to Iran and earlier imposed sanctions on Chinese satellite companies accused by Washington of supporting Iranian military activities.

China remains an important economic and diplomatic partner of Iran and is a major buyer of Iranian oil.