US President Donald Trump’s administration is turning to China as it seeks to intensify economic pressure on Iran, urging Beijing to help cut off a key financial lifeline for Tehran. The move comes as Washington prepares what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has described as the toughest sanctions in US history, alongside a naval blockade aimed at restricting Iran’s oil exports.
Bessent has called on China to cooperate with the US campaign, warning that countries and companies continuing to conduct business with Iran could face severe economic consequences. China, however, has rejected the approach, arguing that sanctions and economic pressure will not resolve the conflict and calling instead for a diplomatic solution.
China is particularly important to Washington’s strategy because it remains Iran’s largest oil customer. More than 80% of Iran’s shipped oil has been going to China, making Chinese buyers a crucial source of revenue for Tehran. US officials believe restricting this trade could significantly weaken Iran’s ability to finance its government and military operations.
The pressure is already beginning to affect the flow of Iranian crude to China. Iranian oil offers to Chinese buyers have fallen sharply, while prices have risen as the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz disrupts shipments. Chinese independent refineries in Shandong, which have traditionally relied heavily on discounted Iranian crude, are now looking for alternative supplies from countries such as Brazil and Iraq.
Beijing’s resistance presents a major challenge for Trump. China has consistently opposed unilateral US sanctions and has maintained significant economic ties with Iran despite years of American pressure. Analysts say Iran’s close trade relationships with China and Russia could make Washington’s attempt to completely isolate Tehran difficult to achieve.
Trump’s latest strategy marks a shift from primarily military pressure toward an intensified economic campaign. The US administration has warned that countries helping Iran could face secondary sanctions, potentially widening the confrontation beyond Tehran and putting Washington at odds with major trading partners.
The escalation also carries risks for the global energy market. The Strait of Hormuz remains a crucial route for international oil supplies, and disruptions have already contributed to higher crude prices. With Iran threatening retaliation and Washington tightening its economic blockade, fears of further disruption remain high.
For now, the United States and China remain sharply divided over how to end the Iran conflict. Washington argues that unprecedented economic pressure could force Tehran to change course, while Beijing maintains that sanctions and coercion are unlikely to produce a lasting solution.
The standoff leaves China with a difficult choice: cooperate with Washington and risk damaging its long-standing energy relationship with Iran, or continue buying Iranian oil and risk becoming a direct target of expanded US sanctions. The decision could have consequences not only for the Iran conflict but also for the already fragile US-China relationship.
