China vows to safeguard interests as U.S. prepares sanctions on Iran

China says it will take necessary steps to safeguard its rights and interests as the US prepares for imposing new sanctions on Iran and may hit its trading partner’s pocketbook, Reuters reported.

China will continue to monitor the situation and take action if necessary, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters during a daily briefing. “We urge relevant countries to remain rational and restrain themselves. Sanctions and pressures can’t help resolve differences.”

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent prepares to unveil fresh measures against Iran – described by Washington as the toughest in history. Bessent called for cooperation from China on efforts aimed at hitting Tehran.

China was most directly affected by these measures as it is Iran’s biggest buyer of oil, with Chinese buyers taking up over 80% of the country’s oil shipments last year, according to ship tracking platform Kpler quoted by Reuters.

Washington has already indicated that any country which continues backing Iran would be subject to economic consequences while an escalation including China risks complicating relations between the world’s two largest economies – which had been working to thaw some trade tensions recently.

Meanwhile, the dispute comes as U.S. economic pressure on Tehran intensifies, with Iranian officials warning that they could halt crude oil exports if Washington steps up its campaign.