China rejects US economic pressure on Iran

China on Thursday rejected the decisive economic pressure, dubbed ‘Economic D-Day’, imposed by US President Donald Trump on Iran and stressed the importance of resolving the conflict through diplomatic channels.

‘The imposition of sanctions and pressure does not help resolve the problem,’ Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing.

‘China calls on the relevant parties to take responsible steps and resolve the issue through diplomatic and political means,’ Lin said.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced what he called ‘the most devastating economic operation ever carried out against any country’, while intensifying the US campaign to isolate Iran and warning that countries and companies assisting Tehran would face severe economic consequences.

Trump said the US would seek to cut off financial and trade channels that provide economic support to Iran.

‘Today, I am also announcing that any country that allows its financial institutions, companies, airports, or government entities to provide any form of assistance to Iran will face enormous economic consequences,’ he said.

China is one of the largest importers of Iranian oil.

Trump specifically cited oil smuggling, financial exchange routes, cash transfers, foreign exchange companies, ship registration, and front companies as activities that must be halted.

‘All of that must stop now,’ he said.

In February, the US and Israel launched a war against Iran that killed thousands of people. Tehran subsequently retaliated by attacking US bases and assets in the Middle East.

Tehran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, while the US military has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports. Although both sides have reached an agreement to end the war, periodic retaliatory strikes continue to occur.