China vows to protect interests as US expands Iran sanctions

China has said it will take steps to protect its interests after the United States announced new sanctions as part of efforts to economically isolate Beijing's economic partner Iran. 

Speaking at a regular briefing in Beijing yesterday (25 August), Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian criticised Washington's growing pressure campaign and called for an immediate end to unilateral sanctions, reports Al Jazeera.

Lin said, "Cooperation between China and Iran has always been conducted within the framework of international law and should not be interfered with or disrupted."

He reiterated Beijing's opposition to what it described as illegal unilateral sanctions, adding that China will take "all necessary measures" to safeguard its rights and interests. 

The statement comes nearly six months into the US-Israel war on Iran, as Washington continues to impose penalties on entities, including several based in China. 

The US has also expanded its threat of secondary sanctions, calling on governments around the world to join its economic pressure campaign against Tehran. 

Asked on Monday (24 August) whether Chinese banks could face the new sanctions, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, "No one is above the reach of US sanctions." 

China has repeatedly called for a ceasefire, maintaining that sanctions will not resolve the conflict. 

Beijing is a major buyer of Iranian oil and has been directly affected by the disruption around the Strait of Hormuz. 

Iran, facing sanctions for decades, has used complex international financial networks to circumvent restrictions. 

Before the war, it continued exporting millions of barrels of oil, with most of those shipments going to China.