Chinese Satellites Capture US Bombers and Jets at Island Air Base
A Chinese commercial satellite company has released an image of U.S. aircraft at the Diego Garcia air base, amid tensions between Washington and Tehran over nuclear negotiations.
Newsweek has reached out to the U.S Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) for comment.
New satellite imagery has confirmed the U.S. deployment of F-15 fighter jets to Diego Garcia, in addition to an increase in the number of bombers at the Indian Ocean base. Diego Garcia-roughly 2,000 miles from Iran-would serve as the military launchpad in the event of a confrontation escalated by failed nuclear diplomacy.
U.S. Air Force jets at the Diego Garcia base were recently captured in a satellite image by MizarVision's Airspace service. The Chinese company bills itself as an AI-driven provider of geo-business intelligence. The image was highlighted by the open-intelligence GEOINT X account.
The U.S. and Iran have bolstered military buildups as President Donald Trump threatened Iran with military action if it rejects a new nuclear deal, after unilaterally withdrawing from the 2015 accord in his first term. B-52 bombers arrived at the remote base earlier in May, joining a contingent of six B-2 stealth bombers already deployed there.
Disagreement over uranium enrichment remains a key obstacle to reviving diplomacy between the longtime foes. The U.S. says it's concerned about enrichment levels capable of producing nuclear weapons while Iran claims its nuclear program is peaceful.
The fidelity of Chinese commercial satellite imagery underscores Beijing's growing ability to monitor U.S. military deployments globally and in near real time, as it weighs support for Tehran's nuclear interests in the face of Western pressure.
U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff said: "We cannot allow even 1 percent of an enrichment capability…Everything begins from our standpoint with a deal that does not include enrichment."
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, according to The Associated Press: "I have said it before, and I repeat it again: uranium enrichment in Iran will continue-with or without an agreement."
China's Foreign Ministry said in April: "China appreciates Iran's commitment to not develop nuclear weapons, respects Iran's right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and supports Iran in conducting dialogue with all parties, including the United States, and in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests through consultation and negotiation."
American and Iranian representatives are scheduled to meet in Rome on Friday for a fifth round of nuclear talks.
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