According to the Financial Times, Iran used a Chinese-made satellite that it surreptitiously acquired last year to watch US military locations throughout the Middle East during the recent battle.
Before being acquired by the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Chinese company Earth Eye Company created and launched the satellite, known as TEE-01B.
Earth Eye Company uses a somewhat unknown export strategy called "in-orbit delivery," in which Chinese-launched spacecraft are given to foreign clients only after they have successfully entered orbit.
It was assigned by Iranian commanders to monitor important U.S. military facilities in the area, according to the report.US Bases The Spy Satellite Monitored
On March 13, 14, and 15, the satellite is reported to have taken pictures of the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. US President Donald Trump admitted that American planes stationed there had sustained damage a day later, on March 14.
According to the study, TEE-01B also monitored activity in the vicinity of the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, Erbil Airport in Iraq, and Jordan's Muwaffaq Salti Air Base around the same time period as the IRGC reported strikes in those locations.
Its surveillance reach went farther, encompassing US-affiliated establishments like Duqm International Airport in Oman, Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, and Camp Buehring and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.

"There is no way that any Chinese company could do something like launch a satellite without somebody in the administration giving it the go-ahead," a former top Western intelligence official told the publication. "I think it's been very clear for some time that China has been helping the Iranians with intelligence, but trying to keep the hand of government hidden."
Concerns around the Gulf are likely to be raised by the IRGC's alleged use of a satellite of Chinese provenance, especially during a battle in which Iran has frequently launched drones and missiles against neighbouring countries. China's strong economic ties to the area, where it is the largest oil buyer and trading partner, exacerbate the sensitivities.

Separately, prior sources have indicated that following the start of the US-Israeli bombing campaign in Iran on February 28, Iran also obtained access to Russian satellite intelligence on US and Israeli targets.
In recent days, China's Foreign Ministry has consistently refuted claims that the nation is giving Iran any kind of military assistance.
The US administration claims that China has long helped Iran's ballistic missile development and provided dual-use industrial components that can be used to produce missiles.