China has warned that sanctions and pressure will not resolve disputes and pledged to take necessary measures to protect its interests as Washington prepares sweeping sanctions against Iran and its trading partners.
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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular press conference in Beijing on Monday that sanctions and pressure would only intensify tensions.
“Sanctions and pressure will not help resolve problems. They will only heighten tensions and escalate the situation, which serves no party’s interests,” Lin said, according to China Daily.
“China calls on all parties to remain rational and exercise restraint, and to avoid measures that could further aggravate tensions and conflict or undermine global economic growth and financial stability,” he added.
Referring to the Trump administration’s efforts to target Tehran and its trading partners amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States, Lin urged the parties to return as soon as possible to the path of political settlement through dialogue and negotiations.
“China will closely follow relevant developments and take necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests,” the spokesman said.
The remarks came as U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned third countries against maintaining commercial ties with Tehran and threatened international buyers of Iranian oil—particularly China—with severe secondary sanctions and financial penalties unless they halt their purchases.
China is the largest buyer of Iranian oil, while Washington’s new measures are expected to target Tehran’s international trading partners, according to Reuters.
Iran has condemned Washington’s sanctions, imposed under its failed so-called “maximum pressure” campaign, as “economic terrorism” and stressed that the measures are bound to fail.
