Trump Downplays Report on Iran Using Chinese Satellite Imagery for Attack: 'We Spy on Them Too'

Regarding reports that Iran utilized Chinese satellite imagery to carry out a precision attack on a U.S. military base in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of three U.S. service members, U.S. President Donald Trump has shrugged off the issue, stating that both the United States and China engage in mutual spying.

According to AFP, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on September 13, President Trump stated, "If people say China is spying on us, I say that is correct, but we are also spying on them." He added, "That is what we do, and basically they are just doing what we do."

Previously, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 11th, citing U.S. officials, that before attacking the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on July 17, Iran acquired high-resolution satellite imagery of the base from Chinese sources.

At the time, Iran used ballistic missiles to strike U.S. military living quarters at the base, killing three U.S. soldiers and injuring four others.

President Trump went on to say of Chinese President Xi Jinping, "He is acting quite rationally, and we are also acting quite rationally."

Trump's remarks on this day did not directly deny the report that Iran utilized Chinese satellite imagery to attack U.S. forces, but are interpreted as emphasizing that China and the United States are maintaining boundaries that neither side should cross.

During President Trump's state visit to China last May, the leaders of the U.S. and China agreed to forge a "strategically stable and constructive relationship."

President Trump recently revealed that President Xi is scheduled to visit Washington, D.C. on the 24th of this month.

(Photo: Capture from MizarVision Weibo, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.