Tehran reportedly used Chinese spy satellite to target US bases

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Billionaire investor Ray Dalio is one of an increasing number of people who believe that the Third World War has already begun. The past two years have brought more war than at any time since 1945, and conflicts in Ukraine and Iran have seen global powers line up behind belligerents on either side. A story in the FT offers the newest piece of evidence, reporting that Tehran used a Chinese spy satellite, known as TEE-01B, to target US military bases across the Middle East. Leaked records allegedly show the satellite was acquired by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for $36m in 2024 and then tasked with monitoring assets later hit by Iranian drone strikes. Earlier this month, Ukraine also accused Russia of supplying Iran with spy imagery. China’s alleged role could lead to regional blowback. It is the biggest buyer of Gulf oil.