‘We spy on them too’: Trump shrugs off China-Iran satellite imagery report
President Trump dismissed reports that Chinese entities provided satellite imagery to Iran for a missile attack on a US base in Jordan. He characterized the intelligence gathering as a standard practice among global powers, noting that the US engages in similar activities.
Why it matters
The comments downplay a potential security breach involving a major geopolitical rival, complicating the diplomatic landscape ahead of upcoming US-China talks.
US President Donald Trump has downplayed a report that Chinese entities supplied Iran with satellite imagery of a US military base in Jordan before a July missile attack that killed three American soldiers, saying China’s spying on the US is no different from Washington’s intelligence activities.“They basically do what we do,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One when asked about the report.“You know what they say? That China spies on us,” Trump said. “I say you're right, and we spy on them, too.”Trump was responding to a Wall Street Journal report citing US officials that Iran obtained high-resolution satellite imagery from Chinese entities before and after its July 17 missile attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in northeastern Jordan. Three US troops were killed and four wounded in the attack.The report raises questions over whether Chinese satellite intelligence helped Iran target US military personnel.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in