- China says it firmly opposes unilateral sanctions imposed without international legal backing.
- Beijing vows to take necessary measures to protect its legitimate rights and interests.
- The US has expanded sanctions against Iran and warned countries trading with Tehran of possible secondary sanctions.
China has vowed to take necessary measures to protect its interests after the United States intensified its economic pressure on Iran and threatened countries continuing to trade with Tehran with secondary sanctions.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Beijing firmly opposed what it described as illegal unilateral sanctions that lack a basis in international law or authorisation from the United Nations Security Council.
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Lin made the remarks during a regular press briefing as tensions increased following Washington’s latest sanctions targeting Iran and entities accused of supporting Tehran.
“China will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its own rights and interests,” Lin said, while stressing that economic pressure and sanctions would not resolve the underlying disputes.
The United States announced an expanded sanctions campaign on Monday aimed at cutting Iran off from key sources of revenue and financial networks. The measures targeted dozens of individuals, companies and vessels linked to Iran, while Washington also warned countries and businesses maintaining economic ties with Tehran that they could face secondary sanctions.
The latest US measures have placed China in a particularly sensitive position because the Asian country remains Iran’s largest buyer of oil.
Chinese independent refineries have continued purchasing Iranian crude despite previous rounds of American sanctions, although recent US actions have disrupted the flow of Iranian oil to China.
Beijing has repeatedly rejected Washington’s use of unilateral sanctions, arguing that such measures can worsen international tensions and create wider risks for the global economy and financial system.
According to Lin, the priority should instead be to reduce tensions and return to dialogue and negotiations as a means of finding a political solution.
“Sanctions and pressure will not help resolve problems,” Lin said, warning that they could heighten tensions, increase spillover risks and undermine global economic and financial stability.
The dispute could further complicate relations between Washington and Beijing, particularly if the United States expands its secondary sanctions to major Chinese financial institutions or companies involved in Iranian oil trade.
China’s latest position also signals that Beijing is unlikely to immediately abandon its economic relationship with Tehran in response to US pressure.
The growing confrontation comes amid an already tense situation surrounding Iran, with Washington seeking to squeeze Tehran’s economy while Iranian officials have vowed to resist the sanctions and retaliate against further US pressure.
For China, the issue goes beyond its relationship with Iran, as Beijing’s response also reflects its broader opposition to what it considers the extraterritorial use of US economic power against Chinese companies and other countries.
With Washington increasing pressure on Iran and Beijing insisting on its right to protect its economic interests, the latest development could further widen the diplomatic and economic divide between the world’s two largest economies.
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