China Undeterred by US Threats
The Chinese government has stated that its cooperative relationship with Iran is conducted within an international framework and therefore must not be interfered with, including by the United States.
“China’s cooperation with Iran is carried out within the framework of international law, so it must not be disrupted. We are following developments closely and will do everything necessary to firmly protect our rights and interests,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday (25/8).
The US had previously warned other countries, including China, of the heightened risk of secondary sanctions if they do business with Iran, as Washington launched a new campaign to sever Iran’s vital economic lifelines.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the ‘Operation Economic Outcast’ campaign focuses on five sectors of the Iranian economy: digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and shipping.
“Those who stand with the United States will reap the benefits of our partnership. Those who bind themselves to the Iranian regime must be prepared to share in the isolation experienced by that failing regime,” Bessent said at a press conference in Washington D.C. on Monday (24/8).
He stressed that no party is immune to US sanctions. Bessent also emphasised that any entity or country, including China as Iran’s main trading partner, could become a target of the new US operation.
“China has repeatedly expressed its firm opposition to illegal unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law or authorisation from the UN Security Council,” Lin Jian added.
He said economic warfare and maximum pressure do not provide solutions.
“On the contrary, economic sanctions will only fuel tensions and cause widespread risks, which will disrupt the global economic and financial order and harm the legitimate rights and interests of other countries,” Lin Jian stated.
The urgent task at present, according to Lin Jian, is to facilitate de-escalation of the situation and return to dialogue and negotiation as soon as possible.
“China will do everything necessary to firmly protect its rights and interests,” Lin Jian stressed.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had previously said that every country has a set deadline to halt the activities that the US has identified.
“If they do not take action, then we will do so unilaterally through the authority of the US Treasury Department,” Bessent said.
Bessent also added that now is the time for world leaders to choose between prosperity and isolation, peace and terror, and America and Iran. However, the Trump administration did not disclose details of its latest efforts to exert economic pressure.
“We will not name specific names,” Bessent said.
In addition to announcing possible secondary sanctions, Bessent said the US has decided to impose sanctions on around 60 entities, individuals, and vessels worldwide for enabling the Iranian regime to acquire illegal nuclear and missile technology, conduct cyber operations, and generate revenue from oil.
US President Donald Trump announced the launch of the economic operation against Iran on Thursday (20/8), describing it as isolation on an unprecedented scale.
The threat comes amid President Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to reach a deal with Iran to end the conflict that has lasted nearly six months, and just one month before Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned visit to the White House.