Beijing has sharply rebuked the latest round of US sanctions on Iran, asserting that the measures will only worsen the already volatile situation in the Middle East. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the sanctions "will only further intensify tensions" between Washington and Tehran, according to CNN.
"Economic warfare and maximum pressure will not help resolve the issue. They will only further intensify tensions and conflicts, create spillover risks," Lin said, echoing a familiar Chinese critique of US policy toward Iran.
Expanded Sanctions Target Key Sectors
The US Treasury Department announced Monday that it is broadening its authority to impose sanctions on individuals and entities operating in five critical sectors of Iran's economy: digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and shipping. The move is part of a wider campaign to choke off revenue streams that fund Iran's nuclear and missile programs, as well as its regional proxies.
In a formal release, the Treasury said it had also sanctioned nearly 60 entities, individuals, and vessels that "enable the Iranian regime's recklessness, including illicit nuclear and missile technology procurement, cyber operations, and oil-revenue generation networks." The designations mark the latest escalation in what the Trump administration has called a maximum pressure campaign.
Treasury Secretary Hints at More Action
During a press conference on Monday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declined to single out specific foreign governments that continue to do business with Tehran, but he warned that consequences would follow for those that defy US pressure. "We're not going to name names. We've already seen some results, and I am confident [President Trump], as you all know, is quite persuasive," Bessent said. He added, "I would expect that very quickly, if they do not respond, then you will see the ramifications of their actions."
His remarks come as the administration has been intensifying its economic warfare against Iran, a strategy that has drawn sharp criticism from Beijing. China remains Iran's largest trading partner and the primary buyer of its oil exports, although those purchases have dwindled amid the conflict. According to Reuters, Iranian oil exports to China fell below 800,000 barrels per day last month, a significant decline from previous levels.
China Defends Its Ties with Iran
Lin Jian pushed back against US pressure, insisting that China's relationship with Iran "should not be disrupted or undermined" by American economic interference. "China is closely following relevant developments and will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its own rights and interests," he said, per CNN.
Beijing's defiance comes as President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet in Washington next month for a state visit. Trump is seeking a trade deal that would see Beijing increase purchases of American agricultural goods, Boeing aircraft, and US oil. The meeting could provide a backdrop for negotiations over Iran policy, though China has shown little inclination to curb its dealings with Tehran.
The Trump administration has previously sanctioned Chinese entities involved in processing Iranian oil, particularly targeting small and medium-sized "teapot" refineries. However, China's Commerce Ministry blocked those sanctions in May, arguing they violate international law. The latest round of US measures is likely to further strain ties between Washington and Beijing, even as both sides seek to manage their broader trade relationship.
The new sanctions also come amid a wider US campaign against Iran, including renewed pressure from Trump and Bessent as the conflict in the Middle East continues. Some officials have described the sanctions push as an "economic D-Day" for Iran, a phrase echoed by Senator John Barrasso. Meanwhile, Iranian officials have condemned the measures as "economic terrorism," and Tehran has vowed to respond.
For China, the stakes are high. Its reliance on Iranian oil, though diminished, remains a key part of its energy security strategy. At the same time, Beijing is wary of provoking Washington at a delicate moment in bilateral relations. The upcoming Trump-Xi summit may offer an opportunity to defuse tensions, but China's public stance suggests it will not bow to US pressure on Iran.
