3. Radar Systems (The “Shield”)
Radar systems are described by congressional aids as the “most expensive and most limited resource” in the region. Iran targeted these specifically because their destruction renders air defense systems—like the Patriot batteries—virtually useless.
The Chinese Connection: The TE01B Satellite
How did Iran achieve such surgical precision? The answer lies in 2024, when Iran secretly acquired a Chinese satellite known as the TE01B.
Before this acquisition, Iranian intelligence relied on blurry, low-resolution imagery. Now, they possess high-resolution data almost as detailed as what the U.S. sees. CNN’s side-by-side comparison shows the staggering difference: Iran can now see individual aircraft, specific vehicles, and even individual radar installations.
