China rebuffs U.S. pressure, says sanctions against Iran not a solution
China on Friday said that U.S. "sanctions and pressure" against Iran would not resolve the conflict in the Middle East, after Washington urged governments including Beijing to join its campaign to isolate the Iranian economy.
The United States has vowed to "collapse" the Iranian regime through its threatened economic measures. Tehran has described the campaign as "economic terrorism" that is doomed to fail. The exchange comes nearly six months after the outbreak of hostilities between the two countries.
Speaking at a regular press briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said, "Sanctions and pressure will not help resolve the issue." He added that China calls on all relevant parties to take responsible measures and address the problem through political and diplomatic means.
His remarks followed those of U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who defended the Trump administration's push for economic pressure on Tehran. When asked whether Washington would pressure China to join the effort, Bessent told CNBC that "many conversations are best to have in private," but urged Beijing "to get with the programme."
Responding to Bessent's comments, Lin reiterated China's position that all parties should take "responsible measures" in resolving the conflict. "China opposes illegal unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law and are not authorised by the UN Security Council," he said.
China has consistently called for dialogue and diplomacy in international disputes. The Chinese government has maintained trade and diplomatic ties with both the United States and Iran, and has previously opposed economic measures imposed without UN approval.
The United States has been seeking to rally international support for its maximum pressure campaign against Iran. Washington's goal, according to officials, is to weaken Iran's economy and force a change in its policies. Iran, for its part, has resisted the pressure and continues to call for negotiations on equal footing.
China's response reflects its broader foreign policy stance, which prioritises non-interference in other nations' affairs and opposes the use of unilateral sanctions as a tool of diplomacy. This position often puts Beijing at odds with Washington's approach to international conflicts.
The conflict between the U.S. and Iran has had significant implications for global markets, particularly for oil prices and regional stability. Both nations have engaged in direct military strikes and proxy actions, leading to widespread concerns about a wider war. The United Nations and several countries have called for a ceasefire and a return to diplomatic channels.
As the situation remains volatile, the positions of key stakeholders like China are closely watched. Beijing's refusal to align with Washington's sanctions could limit the effectiveness of the U.S. strategy, observers say.
For now, China has restated its commitment to a political solution. "We hope all sides will show restraint and work together to de-escalate tensions," Lin added, summing up the official position.
