The United States has announced new sanctions on a Chinese teapot refinery for purchasing millions of barrels of Iranian oil, along with additional measures against entities and vessels in Iran’s shadow fleet, in an effort to curb Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and cut off its financial support for terrorist groups.
🔹 Key Announcements by the US State Department
📢 Tammy Bruce, US State Department Spokesperson, stated:
✅ Sanctions imposed on a Chinese teapot refinery for purchasing $500 million worth of Iranian oil.
✅ Restrictions on Iran’s shadow fleet, targeting entities and vessels that facilitated the shipment of millions of barrels of oil to China.
✅ Action against a crude oil and petroleum products storage terminal in Huizhou, China, which stored Iranian-origin crude.
🔹 US Strategy: Maximum Pressure on Iran
🛑 The US seeks to drive Iran’s oil exports to zero to:
✔ Prevent funding of its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
✔ Cut financial support for terrorist groups.
✔ Restrict Tehran’s destabilizing global activities.
🔹 Why Target China?
🔸 China is the largest importer of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products.
🔸 Chinese terminals play a key role in helping Iran evade sanctions and sustain its energy revenues.
🔹 Historical Context
🔹 US sanctions on Iran date back to 1979, following the seizure of the US Embassy in Tehran.
🔹 The maximum pressure campaign was reinstated under former President Donald Trump, aiming to cripple Iran’s economy.
With these fresh sanctions, the US continues its hardline stance on Iran, while also increasing pressure on Chinese entities involved in Iranian oil trade.