China: We did not give Iran satellite images before the deadly attack on the U.S. base in Jordan

Beijing has called baseless the reports that Chinese entities gave Tehran satellite images of a military base in Jordan both before and after an Iranian attack that killed three U.S. soldiers.

The Wall Street Journal reports, published over the weekend, concerned missile attacks launched by Iran on July 17 against the air base in Jordan where U.S. troops are stationed.

U.S. officials — who are not named in the newspaper’s report — did not identify which Chinese entities were involved, nor did they hold Beijing directly responsible.

“We strongly oppose groundless suspicions and accusations that have no evidence,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a press conference.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump sought to downplay the significance of the reports, which could raise tensions ahead of the planned visit of Chinese leader Xi Jinping to the White House on September 24.

“You know, when they say China is spying on us, I say they’re right — and we’re spying on them too,” Trump told reporters yesterday aboard Air Force One.

“That’s what we do. Basically, they do what we do,” he added.