US President Donald Trump has downplayed a report that Chinese entities supplied Iran with satellite images of a US military base in Jordan before and after a deadly Iranian missile attack.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran obtained the imagery ahead of its July 17 strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, which killed three US soldiers and injured four others.
Asked about the report on Sunday aboard Air Force One, Trump said China’s alleged spying was no different from US intelligence activities.
“When they say that China spies on us, I say you’re right, and we spy on them too,” Trump said.
US officials cited in the report did not identify the Chinese entities involved or accuse Beijing of directly supporting the attack. Chinese officials have denied the allegations and demanded evidence of the transfer.
The report comes ahead of a planned September 24 meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington, potentially adding tension to the talks.
The US had already sanctioned three China-based satellite companies in May over alleged assistance to Iran’s military operations.
China is a major economic and diplomatic partner of Iran, including a key buyer of Iranian oil.
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