Trump Downplays Report Linking Chinese Entities to Iran Attack on US Base
Trump Downplays Report Linking Chinese Entities to Iran Attack on US Base
US President Donald Trump has downplayed a report alleging that Chinese entities provided Iran with satellite imagery of a US military base in Jordan before and after an Iranian missile attack that killed three American service members.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said China conducts intelligence activities against the United States, adding that the US also carries out similar activities involving China.
The comments followed a report by The Wall Street Journal that US officials had linked high-resolution satellite imagery supplied by Chinese entities to Iran’s July 17 attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. Three US service members were killed and four others wounded in the attack.
However, the specific Chinese entities involved have not been publicly identified, and the report did not accuse the Chinese government of directly authorising the transfer. Chinese officials have rejected the allegation and requested evidence. Reuters said it could not independently verify the reported intelligence link.
The development comes ahead of a tentatively scheduled September 24 meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Beijing has not formally confirmed the date.
