US doubles down on Iran pressure as China says sanctions will not solve crisis

US doubles down on Iran pressure as China notes sanctions will not solve crisis.

Key points

• China buys more than 80% of Iran's shipped oil, according to 2025 data from analytics firm Kpler.
• Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, iran has weathered punishing economic sanctions for almost 50 years.
• US Treasury Secretary Bessent heralds 'toughest' ever sanctions on Iran, urges Beijing to cooperate with Washington.
• When asked if the US could target China for doing business with Iran, Bessent remarked numerous conversations were best to have in private.
• Bessent remarked he would hold a press conference on Monday to discuss details.

China rejects US sanctions on Iran, notes pressure will not resolve crisis. Beijing buys more than 80% of Iran's shipped oil, Kpler data demonstrates. Trump cautioned of economic consequences for Iran supporters.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remarked on Thursday that Washington will impose "the toughest sanctions in history" on Iran and called on Beijing to cooperate with the US, but China noted sanctions will not assist resolve the matter.

"It is a one-two punch. We have the blockade (on Iran), and we are going to have the toughest sanctions in history, " Bessent informed CNBC. "It is going to work in Iran, and we are going to collapse this regime."

President Donald Trump cautioned on Wednesday of economic consequences against any country that provided "any type of lifeline to Iran" as the US looks to resolve a war against Iran it began alongside Israel almost six months ago.

"Regarding the Iran matter, sanctions and pressure do not assist resolve the difficulty. China calls on the relevant parties to take responsible actions and resolve the matter through political and diplomatic means, " a spokesperson for China's embassy in Washington stated in response to Bessent's comments.

China buys more than 80% of Iran's shipped oil, according to 2025 data from analytics firm Kpler. If the US engaged in further economic warfare with China, a major exporter to the US, including vital rare-earth minerals, it would risk retaliation.

Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, iran has weathered punishing economic sanctions for almost 50 years. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi called Trump's comments an attempt to divert American public opinion from domestic financial challenges, including record debt and rising interest rates.

"I think oil markets are misinterpreting what this economic pressure means, " Bessent remarked on Thursday. Oil rates climbed to more than three-week highs on Thursday.

"We have asymmetric information, and I'm not sure why oil has popped up on this, " Bessent remarked. "If we are doing the maximum economic pressure, then that means that likely there will not be a large-scale kinetic restart."

"We are confident that everyone wants the Strait (of Hormuz) reopened, and for energy prices to come back down, " he remarked. "Keep in mind that the Chinese obtain 50% (of their) energy from inside the Gulf. So it would do them a major service to secure with the programme." At least nine killed in hotel fire in India's Kolkata. UAE suspends all trade, financial transactions with Iran after missile attack. White House attacks CNN reporter for question on Trump aide. At a Gaza zoo, war takes its toll on the animals.

Philippine student live-streamed fatal school shooting before taking own life, notes official. Erdogan calls on Trump to prioritise diplomacy in discussions with Iran.

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Iran threatens attack on US blockade as Washington rules out extending ceasefire.

In short, US doubles down on Iran pressure as China says sanctions will not is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.