China has described new US sanctions on Iran and its trading partners as 'illegal', the BBC reports, after Washington threatened to isolate countries that continue to do business with Tehran.
Key facts
- The BBC reports China has described the new US sanctions on Iran as 'illegal'.
- The US has threatened to isolate nations that continue to do business with Tehran.
- Iran sells much of its oil to Beijing, according to the BBC.
- The measures target Iran and countries that trade with it.
China has criticised newly announced US sanctions targeting Iran and its trading partners, describing the measures as ‘illegal’, according to the BBC.
The measures follow a threat by the United States to isolate nations that continue to do business with Tehran, part of Washington’s broader pressure campaign on Iran.
China is closely affected by the dispute because Iran sells much of its oil to Beijing, the BBC reports. Sanctions aimed at Iran’s trading partners therefore have a direct bearing on Chinese commercial interests.
The full details of China’s response, the specific entities named in the sanctions, and any planned countermeasures were not set out in the available reporting. The situation is developing.
Why it matters
Sanctions that extend beyond Iran to its trading partners could affect major economies such as China and disrupt global oil flows, and reflect wider tensions over the reach of US economic measures.
Frequently asked questions
Why is China objecting to the new US sanctions?
China has described the sanctions as 'illegal', objecting to the US threat to isolate nations that continue to do business with Iran, according to the BBC.
What is the connection between China and Iran in this dispute?
Iran sells much of its oil to Beijing, according to the BBC, meaning US measures targeting Iran's trading partners directly affect Chinese interests.
What has the US threatened to do?
The US has threatened to isolate nations that continue to do business with Tehran, according to the BBC.