Beijing, China - China on Tuesday said it will actively work to "safeguard" its interests after the Trump administration laid out plans for the "economic asphyxiation" of Iran.
Almost six months into its war with Iran, the US issued new penalties on some entities, including several in China, and expanded secondary sanctions threats, urging governments worldwide to join its economic campaign.
"Around the globe, our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday.
"We are going to hold everyone accountable," he warned. "This is economic asphyxiation of this regime."
Since the US and Israel launched its war of aggression against Iran in February, China has repeatedly advocated for a ceasefire in the Middle East. On Friday, it insisted the worsening US sanctions will not resolve the conflict.
"Cooperation between China and Iran has always been conducted within the framework of international law and should not be interfered with or disrupted," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian told a regular news briefing on Tuesday.
"China is closely following the developments, and will do everything necessary to firmly safeguard its rights and interests," Lin said. "We are closely following the developments, and will do everything necessary to firmly safeguard our rights and interests."
Beijing is a key customer for Iranian oil, and is directly affected by the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has weathered sanctions for decades, using complex international financial networks to evade restrictions. Before the war, it continued to export millions of barrels of oil, mostly to China.
Asked on Monday if Chinese banks would be targeted by the new penalties, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said "no one is above the reach of US sanctions."