WASHINGTON — May 13, 2026 : The United States has imposed sanctions on three Chinese commercial satellite companies accused of providing Iran with satellite imagery and geospatial intelligence used to monitor and target U.S. and allied military positions during Operation Epic Fury, according to an announcement by the U.S. Department of State on May 8, 2026.
The sanctions were announced days before U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to travel to Beijing for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The upcoming discussions are expected to focus on trade relations, regional security issues, and the aftermath of the recent Middle East conflict.
The sanctioned entities are The Earth Eye, also known as TEE or Beijing Mumei Starry Sky Technology Co. Ltd.; Meentropy Technology (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd., operating as MizarVision; and Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co. Ltd. (CGST). U.S. officials stated that the companies supplied imagery and geospatial intelligence that enabled Iranian military forces to identify and monitor American facilities during Operation Epic Fury.
According to the State Department, the sanctions are part of a broader package targeting 11 entities and three individuals based in Iran, China, Belarus, and the United Arab Emirates for supporting Iranian ballistic missile, unmanned aerial vehicle, and military procurement networks.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the provision of satellite imagery to Iran endangered American and partner personnel in the Middle East and that the United States would continue to hold third-country entities accountable for supporting Iranian military operations.
U.S. officials outlined separate roles for each sanctioned company in the intelligence support network. The Earth Eye, a Beijing-based satellite ground station operator, allegedly provided satellite imagery directly to Tehran during the conflict. Intelligence reports also indicated that the company previously built and launched a satellite acquired by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which was later used to monitor U.S. military sites.
MizarVision, identified as a Chinese geospatial intelligence company, was accused of publishing open-source satellite imagery detailing U.S. troop activity and military deployments during Operation Epic Fury. Chang Guang Satellite Technology, one of China’s major commercial satellite operators based in Changchun, Jilin Province, allegedly collected operational imagery of U.S. and allied military facilities in response to Iranian requests.
The State Department stated that the imagery provided by the companies supported Iranian military strike planning during the conflict. Operation Epic Fury, launched by the United States on February 28, 2026, targeted Iranian missile forces, missile production infrastructure, naval assets, and other military facilities.
Chang Guang Satellite Technology had previously been sanctioned by the United States in December 2023 under Executive Order 14024. U.S. authorities had earlier accused the company of supplying satellite imagery to Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement for operations targeting U.S. military assets.
The sanctions introduce an additional point of tension ahead of the planned summit between Washington and Beijing. U.S. officials have recently called on China to use its economic and diplomatic influence to encourage Tehran to maintain the ceasefire established after the conclusion of Operation Epic Fury.
In response, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Washington criticized the sanctions, stating that China opposes unilateral sanctions lacking a basis in international law. Chinese officials maintained that Beijing strictly regulates exports of dual-use technologies and applies a cautious policy regarding arms-related exports.
Despite the dispute, Chinese officials indicated that Beijing remains prepared to continue engagement with the United States during the upcoming presidential summit and to pursue cooperation while managing bilateral differences through dialogue.
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