Ahead of Meeting Xi Jinping, Trump Imposes Sanctions on 12 Entities Selling Iranian Oil to China

The Trump administration has officially imposed sanctions on 12 companies and individuals accused of facilitating the sale and shipment of oil from Iran to China. This aggressive move was announced on Monday (11 May 2026), just days before Trump is scheduled to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasised that this action is part of Washington’s ongoing efforts to cut off Tehran’s financial access, which is deemed harmful to global stability.

“We will continue to sever the Iranian regime from the financial networks it uses to carry out terrorist acts and destabilise the global economy,” Bessent said in his official statement.

China’s support for Iran is expected to be a hot topic at the upcoming negotiations in Beijing. In addition to oil trade issues, the US has highlighted military cooperation between the two countries.

Last month, US intelligence reports indicated that China is preparing to send a new air defence system to Iran. This information emerges amid global concerns over escalating conflict in the Middle East involving Iran.

These new sanctions come as relations between Washington and Tehran are at their lowest point. On the same day, President Trump issued a pessimistic statement regarding the effectiveness of the temporary peace agreement that has been in place for the past month.

Trump described the ceasefire between the United States and Iran as currently in critical condition or “dying” (on massive life support).

This sanction imposition is viewed as an effort by the US to strengthen its bargaining position vis-à-vis China, while applying maximum pressure on Iran amid the diplomatic uncertainties surrounding both parties. With these sanctions, the US hopes to curb Iran’s oil export revenues, which have long been the backbone of the country’s economy. (CNN/Z-2)