China Vows to Safeguard Its Interests as US Expands Sanctions Targeting Iran

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian rejected Washington's expanding pressure campaign against Iran at a regular briefing in Beijing on Tuesday, 3 Shahrivar 1405 (August 25, 2026), and called for an immediate end to US unilateral measures. According to Al Jazeera, he said cooperation between China and Iran has always been conducted within the framework of international law and that China will take all necessary measures to safeguard its own rights and interests.

The remarks followed comments a day earlier, on Monday, 2 Shahrivar (August 24), by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said no one is above the reach of US sanctions when asked whether Chinese banks could be targeted by Washington's newest measures against Iran. Al Jazeera noted China is Iran's biggest oil customer and that the latest US sanctions package targeting Iran's economy has also hit entities in China. Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute in Washington, told Al Jazeera it is unlikely the US would target Chinese entities just weeks before Chinese President Xi Jinping's planned visit to Washington.