Trump Discusses Chinese Surveillance and Iran’s Missile Strike

President Donald Trump addressed concerns about espionage between the United States and China, following reports that Chinese entities provided satellite imagery to Iran before a deadly missile strike. The attack, which occurred on July 17, targeted Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan and resulted in the deaths of three U.S. troops.

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump responded to a Wall Street Journal report alleging that China supplied Iran with high-resolution images prior to the attack. “They basically do what we do,” Trump stated, implying a mutual espionage relationship between the U.S. and China.

When asked if he planned to bring up the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping during Xi’s visit to the U.S., Trump commented that both nations behaved reasonably in their surveillance practices. “You know what they say? That China spies on us. I say you’re right, and we spy on them, too,” Trump explained.

U.S. officials have connected the satellite imagery to Iran’s missile strike on the Jordanian base. This attack marked one of the clearest indications of Chinese support for Iran in conflicts impacting American forces.

Although U.S. officials linked the imagery to the attack, they did not identify the specific Chinese entities involved or accuse the Chinese government of directly participating in the assault.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit Washington on September 24 for a summit with President Trump. The discussions may touch upon these espionage activities, along with other diplomatic matters.