China, on August 25, warned the United States against disrupting its cooperation with Iran, stating it would not back away from its ties with Tehran after the Trump administration targeted businesses in China and Hong Kong with new sanctions. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated that China opposes unilateral sanctions that risk worsening conflicts and emphasized that China's cooperation with Iran operates within an international framework and should not be interfered with. He added that Beijing is closely monitoring developments and will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its own interests.
This response came hours after the US Treasury Department unveiled a package targeting dozens of individuals and entities as part of "Operation Economic Outcast," a campaign aimed at severing Iran's financial lifelines. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had previously warned that any country providing a "lifeline" to Iran would face significant economic consequences, effectively threatening isolation.
Despite including Hong Kong-based entities in its sanctions, the US avoided targeting major Chinese financial institutions. This suggests Washington is attempting to increase the costs of doing business with Tehran without provoking broader economic and diplomatic fallout that could result from sanctioning large Chinese banks. China remains a significant economic partner for Iran, buying the bulk of its oil and being its second-largest trading partner in 2025, behind the United Arab Emirates.
Lin Jian also called for de-escalation of tensions and a return to negotiations between the US and Iran, emphasizing that sanctions and pressure tactics are not the solution and only serve to increase tensions and worsen the situation. He reiterated China's position that it would not cooperate with efforts to isolate Iran and believes disputes should be solved through dialogue and negotiation. China was the largest importer of Iranian maritime crude last year, purchasing more than 80% of Iran’s seaborne oil exports.
