China Says Its Cooperation with Iran Should Not Be Disrupted
China said 40 billion dollars in annual trade with Iran should continue as Washington expands sanctions on firms and vessels tied to Tehran.
- On Monday, the United States announced sanctions on 60 individuals, entities, and vessels as part of Operation Economic Outcast. Beijing responded Tuesday, threatening to retaliate and declaring it will not back away from cooperation with Iran.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the campaign as aimed at severing Iran's financial lifelines. Washington targeted Hong Kong-based entities but avoided major Chinese financial institutions, seeking to raise business costs without triggering broader diplomatic fallout.
- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing that cooperation with Iran is conducted within international law and should not be interfered with. Lin opposed unilateral sanctions risking escalation.
- The Chinese Foreign Ministry vowed to take all necessary measures to safeguard its own rights and interests. Lin emphasized that de-escalation and negotiations should replace new restrictions.
- China remains a primary buyer of Iranian oil and was Iran's second-largest trading partner in 2025. Beijing's warning signals continued economic ties despite Washington pressure to isolate Tehran's financial access.
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94 Articles
In the face of American threats against Iran's trading partners, Beijing is showing its firmness while avoiding escalation, one month away from a new meeting between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump.
Watch Xi Signals Defiance as US Threatens Sanctions Over Iran
Xi Jinping’s government is sending a message of defiance to Donald Trump over China’s economic ties with Iran. Bloomberg's Michael Heath breaks down the options available to Donald Trump to strangle Iran's economy and end a conflict that's pulling US resources from Asia.
Xi signals defiance as US threatens sanctions over Iran help
Hours after the US sanctioned dozens of Chinese entities and threatened to target an unspecified “major financial institution” for its dealings with Tehran, Beijing responded by saying its relationship with Iran “should not be disrupted or undermined.”
“The economic war and maximum pressure will not help solve the problem. They will only further escalate tensions and conflicts, and create risks of contagion,” said Lin Jian, spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry.
China has criticised the US's threat of imposing sanctions on Iran's trading partners.
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