China vows to protect interests as US expands Iran sanctions
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
China said on Tuesday it will take all necessary measures to safeguard its rights and interests after the United States expanded sanctions on Iran, including entities in China. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian rejected Washington's pressure campaign and called for an immediate end to unilateral measures. The comments come nearly six months into the US-Israel war on Iran.
Key Facts
- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said China will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its own rights and interests.
- The US expanded sanctions on entities including several in China and urged governments worldwide to join its economic campaign against Iran.
- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday that no one is above the reach of US sanctions when asked whether Chinese banks would be targeted.
- Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute said threats to sanction Chinese entities over trade with Iran are unlikely to materialise due to diplomatic and legal obstacles.
China's Response
Speaking at a regular news briefing in Beijing on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian rejected Washington's expanding pressure campaign and called for an immediate end to unilateral measures. Lin said cooperation between China and Iran has always been conducted within the framework of international law and should not be interfered with or disrupted. China has advocated for a ceasefire, insisting US sanctions will not resolve the conflict. Beijing remains a key customer for Iranian oil and is directly affected by the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz.
US Sanctions Expansion
The United States rolled out new penalties on entities including several in China and expanded secondary sanctions threats, urging governments worldwide to join its economic campaign. Asked on Monday whether Chinese banks would be targeted by the new penalties, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, "No one is above the reach of US sanctions." The latest measures come nearly six months into the US-Israel war on Iran.
Analyst Assessment
Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Washington-based Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, said threats to sanction Chinese entities over trade with Iran are unlikely to materialise due to diplomatic and legal obstacles. Parsi noted that Beijing helped avert a severe economic crisis during the height of the war by halting its oil purchases just as prices spiked, cratering demand and keeping crude under $100 per barrel for extended periods. He pointed out that Washington faces significant friction on both diplomatic and legal fronts.
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China vows to protect interests as US expands Iran sanctions
