China has criticised new United States sanctions aimed at Iran and countries that continue to trade with Tehran, describing the measures as “illegal”.
The dispute centres on Washington’s threat to isolate nations that maintain business ties with Iran. The measures have particular significance for Beijing because Iran sells a large share of its oil to China.
The available information does not set out the specific form of the new sanctions, the organisations or countries directly affected, or the timetable for their implementation. It does, however, make clear that the US position is intended to increase pressure on Tehran by targeting continued commercial engagement with Iran.
China’s response signals opposition to Washington’s use of sanctions beyond its own borders, especially where they affect third countries trading with Iran. Beijing’s criticism also underlines the importance of Iranian oil exports to China within the wider dispute.
The latest known position is that the US has threatened further isolation for nations doing business with Tehran, while China has rejected the new sanctions as unlawful. No additional official details or responses were included in the supplied material.
