Private Chinese firms are selling what they claim is real-time intelligence on U.S. forces in the Iran war, using satellite data and AI tools even as Beijing publicly distances itself from the conflict, reports the Washington Post.
Chinese AI startup Jingan Technology on the first day of the conflict claimed on social media that its "Jinqi" system had "intercepted voice communications" and tracked the trajectories of four B-2A Spirits.
Jingan called it a "real-time livestream of war, powered by AI."
Shanghai-based MizarVision has posted satellite imagery detailing U.S. military positions during Operation Epic Fury, including F-22 fighters and carrier groups — some later targeted by Iran.
"Satellite imagery shows the US military continuously transporting supplies to Ovda air force base via [Boeing] C-17s," MizarVision said on Feb. 27.
"During the same period, seven F-22s were parked on the tarmac, and four F-22s were spotted on the runway."
Operation Epic Fury launched on Feb. 28.
Ryan Fedasiuk, a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute think tank, told the Post that China has a growing number of private companies that can analyze satellite data and track things on the ground.
As those companies get better, they effectively boost China’s military power — even if they’re not officially part of the government.
"The proliferation of more and more capable private sector geospatial analysis companies in China will augment China’s defense capabilities and ability to contest U.S. forces in a crisis," Fedasiuk told the Post.
The House Select Committee on China is concerned about the trend.
"Companies tied to the CCP are turning AI into a battlefield surveillance tool against America.
"The threat from China’s technology ecosystem isn’t theoretical, it’s imminent.
"The United States cannot allow the Chinese Communist Party to turn commercial technology into real-time intelligence on American troops," it said in a statement referencing MizarVision’s work.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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