PLA, Chinese firm release satellite images showing US military build-up around Iran

South China Morning Post · Feb 20, 2026 · Collected from RSS

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China’s military and a tech firm have released high-resolution satellite imagery showing the US military build-up around Iran, amid reports that Washington may strike Tehran as soon as this weekend.Images posted on social media on Thursday by Chinese commercial satellite analysis company MizarVision show the latest American deployments at bases in Qatar, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.The images from Jordan show 18 F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters and six EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft on the tarmac of the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base. The post did not say when or by which satellites the images were taken.US media has reported that the United States military appears ready to strike Iran this weekend. President Donald Trump is said to be considering a limited strike to force Tehran into a deal to abandon its nuclear programme.Iran has insisted the programme is peaceful and has denied claims that it is developing nuclear weapons.On Thursday, Trump warned during the first Board of Peace meeting in Washington that “bad things” would happen if a deal was not reached, and later set a 10- to 15-day deadline.