Last week, US President Donald Trump promised “the toughest economic action ever taken” against Iran.
On Monday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unveiled sanctions and measures that were said to be intended to completely isolate Iran's economy from the rest of the world, including from the regime's trading partners.
But few details were given. Bessent said nothing about sanctions against countries like China, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates - even though it is well known that they trade a lot with Iran.
"Why would I want to destroy the global financial system?" Bessent said rhetorically when reporters asked about secondary sanctions.
China, which buys a lot of Iranian oil and is affected by the Iran war's restricted transport through the Strait of Hormuz, said on Tuesday that it is now protecting its own interests.
Cooperation between China and Iran has always taken place within the framework of international law, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said, adding that Beijing opposes "illegal unilateral sanctions."
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