Beijing, China - China on Friday declared US "sanctions and pressure" will not resolve the Middle East conflict, after Washington urged governments to join its effort to isolate Iran.
The Trump administration on Thursday demanded its allies – and China – get on board with a massive "coordinated economic isolation" campaign that would potentially "collapse" the Iranian regime.
Tehran branded the demand – which came along with threats of tough consequences for countries that don't cooperate – as "economic terrorism" that's doomed to fail.
Asked about threats from President Donald Trump and his Cabinet on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters that "sanctions and pressure will not help resolve the issue."
"China calls on all relevant parties to take responsible measures and resolve the problem through political and diplomatic means," he said.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has defended Trump's push for economic pressure on Tehran, telling CNBC on Thursday that China should "get with the program."
When asked about Bessent's combative comments, Lin reiterated the need for all parties to take "responsible measures" in resolving the war.
"China opposes illegal unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law and are not authorized by the UN Security Council," Lin said.