China Rejects U.S. Secondary Sanctions on Iran Trade Partners
The standoff could widen pressure on oil trade with Iran and unsettle the global financial system.
China rejected U.S. threats of secondary sanctions against countries that continue doing business with Iran, as Washington steps up economic efforts to isolate Tehran. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Beijing’s cooperation with Iran takes place within the framework of international law and should not be interfered with. He said unilateral U.S. sanctions have no basis in international law or a mandate from the UN Security Council, and could worsen escalation and disrupt the global economy. In Tehran, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf praised China’s position and said the strategic partnership between the two countries does not require anyone’s permission. China has long been Iran’s biggest trading partner, including for imports of oil and petroleum products.