China warns it will safeguard its interests after US widens sanctions against Iran

China has declared its intention to safeguard its interests following the United States' decision to expand economic sanctions against Iran and its trading partners, including China. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lin Jian, firmly opposed the sanctions, stating that China would take all necessary measures to protect its rights.

This reaction came after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the new measures on Monday, warning that any nation financially linked with Iran would be isolated. China is the largest importer of Iranian oil, although the trade volume has decreased due to the US blockade of Iran's ports. Lin emphasized that China and Iran's cooperation has always occurred within the framework of international law and should not be interfered with.

Bessent described the sanctions as "the single greatest financial offensive ever" against Iran, threatening banks and businesses that continue to engage with Iran. He added that no one is above the reach of US sanctions. The announcement precedes planned talks between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, potentially prompting US caution against potential retaliation from Beijing.

Iran's Economy Minister, Ali Madanizadeh, declared Iran was fully prepared for the expanded sanctions, which he claimed would result in another defeat for the US. Iran has a two-year plan in place to manage these events, and the country has been waiting for these plans for a long time. The US has labeled its latest sanctions "Operation Economic Outcast" and compared them to an "economic D-Day" against Iran.

The sanctions come nearly six months after the start of the Iran conflict, which has led to global oil price increases due to Iran's blocking of the Strait of Hormuz. Despite US Treasury Secretary Bessent's claim that America is ending the Iranian threat, experts doubt the measures' effectiveness, especially considering that around 90% of Iran's oil exports go to China, which has not recognized US sanctions in the past.