Trump dismisses report of Chinese intel support for Iran

• US President Trump minimized reports that Chinese entities gave Iran satellite imagery preceding a July missile strike that killed three US soldiers.
• Trump compared Chinese intelligence-gathering to US spying, stating, "They basically do what we do."
• The disclosure precedes a scheduled September 24 White House summit between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

US President Donald Trump has played down reports indicating that Chinese entities supplied Tehran with high-resolution satellite imagery of a military base in the Middle East prior to a deadly Iranian missile strike.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One a day after The Wall Street Journal detailed Beijing’s alleged intelligence sharing, Trump dismissed the security implications by comparing Chinese surveillance practices to those of the United States.

"You know, when they say that China spies on us, I say you’re right, and we spy on them too," Trump said. "That’s what we do. They basically do what we do."

The intelligence controversy threatens to exacerbate tensions between Washington and Beijing just ahead of an expected September 24 state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House.

Beijing demands proof 

The underlying strike occurred on July 17, when Iran launched missile salvos targeting military bases housing US forces across the Middle East, resulting in the deaths of three US Army soldiers.

According to the reporting, unnamed American officials cited in the investigation did not publicly identify the specific Chinese entities involved, nor did they suggest that the Chinese government directly authorized or carried out the intelligence transfer.

When pressed by US diplomats, Chinese officials requested formal proof of the imagery transfer and declined to acknowledge any involvement by Chinese firms.

China remains a critical economic partner for Iran—purchasing a major share of its crude oil output—as well as a key diplomatic backer.

To curb military support, the Trump administration previously warned Beijing against selling weapons to Tehran and imposed sanctions in May against three China-based satellite companies for enabling Iranian military operations.

Despite the revelations, Trump struck a diplomatic tone regarding President Xi, remarking that "he’s behaved reasonably well, and we behave reasonably well."

When asked aboard Air Force One whether he would ever permit Chinese vehicles to enter the domestic market, Trump highlighted his trade restrictions, stating: "I haven’t. I’m the one that kept them out. The tariffs kept them out."