Trump downplays Sino-Iranian spying allegations after Jordan strike

US President Donald Trump on Sunday downplayed reports that Chinese entities provided Tehran with satellite images of a military base in Jordan before and after an Iranian strike that killed three US soldiers.

“You know, when they say China is spying on us, I say you're right, and we're spying on them too,” Mr. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, the day after the publication of a Wall Street Journal article reporting this alleged intelligence sharing between Chinese and Iranians. “That’s what we do. Basically, they do what we do,” added the American president.

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On July 17, Iran launched missiles against the Muwaffaq Salti air base in Jordan, where American forces are stationed. Three American soldiers were killed. Unnamed U.S. officials cited by the Wall Street Journal did not identify the Chinese entities involved, and did not suggest that the Chinese government was directly responsible.

According to the newspaper, these officials raised the issue with Chinese officials, who asked for proof of the transfer of these satellite images and did not acknowledge that Chinese companies were involved in providing them to Tehran. In May, Washington sanctioned three satellite companies based in China for facilitating Iranian military operations.

China is one of Iran's main economic partners, from which it buys a large part of its oil production. It is also an important diplomatic supporter of Tehran. A state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the United States is planned for late September.