Trump Dismisses Report That China Entities Helped Iran Before Attack That Killed US Troops

US President Donald Trump on Sunday dismissed a report that Iran obtained satellite imagery of a US base in Jordan from Chinese entities ahead of an attack that killed three American troops there in July.

The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed US officials, recently reported that Iran had acquired imagery of the Jordanian base before the attack. Asked whether he would raise the issue during an expected meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump did not directly answer, instead drawing a comparison between Chinese and US intelligence-gathering activities.

“They basically do what we do,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “When they say China spies on us, I say you’re right and we spy on them too.”

Trump and Xi are expected to meet in the United States on September 24, although Beijing has yet to officially confirm the meeting.

The US president also reiterated that he maintains a good relationship with Xi.

“I think he’s behaved reasonably well, and we behave reasonably well,” Trump said while returning to the United States after a weekend trip to Ireland.

The Wall Street Journal report, which Reuters could not immediately verify, said US officials declined to identify the Chinese entities that allegedly provided the satellite imagery to Iran. The report also did not allege that the Chinese government was directly involved.

Trump’s remarks come as his administration seeks to ease or downplay broader tensions with Beijing, even as Washington remains concerned about China’s close relationship with Tehran.