US urges China to back its ‘most crushing economic operation’ against Iran
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday urged China to join Washington’s latest efforts to economically pressure and isolate Iran after negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the six-month conflict collapsed. “Keep in mind, the Chinese get 50 per cent of their energy from the Gulf. So, it would do them a big service to get with the programme,” Bessent told CNBC when asked…
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged China to join the US in its latest economic efforts to pressure and isolate Iran, following the collapse of negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Bessent told CNBC that China derives 50 percent of its energy from the Gulf and should "get with the programme." China is the largest buyer of Iranian oil, accounting for over 80 percent of the country's oil exports in 2025.
The US has threatened Iran with the "most crushing economic operation ever" taken against any country, warning that any country providing a lifeline to Tehran will face "tremendous economic consequences." The Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned the new US plan, stating that sanctions and pressure tactics are not the solution. Iran dismissed the US threats, describing them as an attempt to divert attention from domestic challenges.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
