Trump Dismisses Report Chinese Entities Helped Iran Before Attack That Killed U.S. Troops

President Donald Trump has dismissed a report that Chinese entities provided Iran with satellite imagery before a July attack on a U.S. military base in Jordan that killed three American troops.

The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed U.S. officials, reported that entities in China supplied satellite images of the base before the Iranian attack. The report did not identify the entities involved or accuse the Chinese government directly.

Asked Sunday whether he planned to confront Chinese President Xi Jinping about the allegations, Trump played down the issue and suggested that major powers routinely conduct similar surveillance activities.

Trump also said he continues to have a good relationship with Xi and indicated that a meeting between the two leaders could take place later this month in the United States.

The comments come amid heightened tensions involving Iran, China and the United States, with Washington facing growing pressure over attacks on U.S. forces and instability across the Middle East.

The new allegations are likely to draw scrutiny in Washington because any confirmed Chinese assistance connected to an attack that killed U.S. service members could significantly complicate already sensitive U.S.-China relations.