Cooperation between Tehran and Beijing in space has reached a new level, posing a direct threat to the security of American military installations in the Middle East. According to an investigation by the Financial Times, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has secretly acquired a sophisticated Chinese reconnaissance satellite, which is now used for precision missile and drone guidance. The satellite in question is the TEE-01B, manufactured by Earth Eye. The satellite boasts impressive technical specifications and is capable of capturing detailed images of the Earth's surface with a resolution of up to half a meter. This image quality allows the Iranian military to clearly see not only large buildings but also specific types of aircraft at airfields, armored vehicle concentrations, and even small critical infrastructure at American bases.

According to Western intelligence sources, this deal cost Tehran $36.6 million. However, the purchase of the satellite itself was only part of a larger agreement. Iranian specialists also gained direct access to a network of ground tracking stations owned by the Beijing-based provider Emposat. This allows the IRGC to obtain intelligence information in near real time and promptly adjust the flight missions of its weapons. Analysts note that the use of Chinese satellite technology explains the increased accuracy of recent Iranian strikes on US positions in the region, which had previously often been less targeted.