•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The United States has imposed sanctions on three Chinese commercial satellite companies, accusing them of helping Iran by providing satellite imagery. The announcement came just days before U.S. President Donald Trump travels to China.
According to the U.S. Department of State, Washington sanctioned four entities in total, including three Chinese companies, for allegedly providing satellite imagery that helped Iran carry out attacks against U.S. forces in the Middle East.
Among the sanctioned companies is The Earth Eye, which operates a ground satellite station. The U.S. accuses the company of providing satellite imagery to Tehran.
The other two Chinese companies are MizarVision, described as providing geospatial intelligence information, and Chang Guang Satellite Technology, a commercial satellite imagery provider.
Washington alleges that during the period when the U.S. conducted Operation Epic Fury in Iran, Chang Guang Satellite Technology helped Iran by providing imagery of U.S. military facilities and allied bases in the Middle East.
A Financial Times report in April said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) bought a satellite manufactured by The Earth Eye and launched it into orbit. The report said the satellite helped Tehran identify U.S. military facilities during the conflict.
The Financial Times added that lists of coordinates with times, satellite imagery, and orbital analyses indicated IRGC command sought to have the satellite monitor key U.S. military sites, with monitoring activity in some cases occurring only a few days before those sites were attacked.
The Financial Times also reported that Iranian military documents it obtained show the IRGC has access to ground stations that control satellites operated by Emposat. Emposat is described as a Beijing-based company providing satellite control and data services through a globally operating network.
Separately, the Financial Times reported last year that Chang Guang Satellite Technology provided satellite imagery to Yemen’s Houthi forces backed by Iran. Those images were said to have helped the Houthis identify targets, including U.S. warships in the Red Sea.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the sanctions are intended to hold China-based organizations accountable for supporting Iran. He added that Washington will take measures within its authority to sanction organizations and individuals in third countries if they support Iran’s military and defense-industrial base.
The fourth entity sanctioned is the Export Center of Iran’s Ministry of Defense, the unit responsible for defense ministry export operations. The agency had previously been sanctioned by the United States and the UN Security Council.
The sanctions were announced ahead of President Trump’s state visit to China. Trump is expected to depart Washington on Tuesday (May 12) for Beijing.
In a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the two sides are expected to discuss the Iran conflict, including the closure of the Hormuz Strait. The meeting will be the second direct meeting between the two leaders since Trump returned to the White House last year.
In recent weeks, the U.S. has urged China to increase pressure on Tehran to push for an agreement that would strengthen a ceasefire. The ceasefire has been maintained after five weeks of large-scale U.S. strikes against Iran.
Beyond the satellite companies, the U.S. has broadened sanctions targeting Chinese firms accused of aiding Iran.
On May 8, the U.S. Treasury announced sanctions on 10 individuals and companies across multiple regions for aiding Iran in acquiring weapons, drone components, and materials related to the ballistic missile program. Named entities included some headquartered in China or Hong Kong, such as Yushita Shanghai International Trade, AE International Trade, HK Hesin Industry, Mustad Limited, and Hitex Insulation Ningbo.
Earlier, on April 24, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery in China for allegedly buying large volumes of Iranian oil and oil products. The report described Hengli as one of Iran’s major oil customers in China and said it belongs to private, smaller-scale refining plants commonly referred to as “teapots.”
The Treasury also sanctioned five other Chinese teapot refineries.
Premium gym chains are entering a “golden era” that is ending or already in decline, as rising operating costs collide with shifting consumer preferences toward more flexible, community-based ways to exercise. Long-term memberships are shrinking, margins are pressured by higher rents and facility expenses, and competition from smaller, more personalized…
