diplomacyTuesday, August 25, 202651 sources

China Threatens Retaliation Against U.S. Iran Sanctions Amid Oil Trade Concerns

China warned the United States on August 25, 2026, that it would take 'all necessary measures' to protect its interests if the U.S. expanded sanctions against Iran. The U.S. Treasury Secretary announced sanctions targeting Chinese and Hong Kong-based companies involved in Iran trade, prompting China to vow retaliation. China's Foreign Ministry condemned the sanctions as 'illegal unilateral sanctions' and emphasized its commitment to safeguarding its economic ties with Iran.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated that Beijing would 'take all necessary measures to resolutely protect its legitimate interests' in response to the U.S. sanctions. China buys approximately 80% of Iran’s oil exports, and the U.S. has threatened to isolate nations that continue to trade with Tehran. The U.S. Treasury Secretary announced sanctions against companies based in mainland China and Hong Kong, citing Iran’s alleged support for terrorism and nuclear proliferation. China’s response included warnings of retaliation if its companies were affected by the sanctions, with multiple outlets reporting that Beijing viewed the U.S. actions as a direct challenge to its economic interests.

Timelines

Sources

IndependentAl ArabiyaAug 28, 04:23 AM
Are Trump’s Sanctions Strangling Iran’s Economy? - Al Arabiya English

Are Trump’s Sanctions Strangling Iran’s Economy?  Al Arabiya English

WireIranian Labour News AgencyAug 27, 11:28 PM
Economic Sanctions Against Iran by the United States Will Be Fruitless

The President of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, during a meeting with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, stated that the economic pressures by Washington against Iran will be fruitless, and the Iranian people, with dignity, will reclaim their rights, considering the violation of America's commitments in implementing the Islamabad Memorandum and the economic encirclement plan against Iran.

WireMehr News AgencyAug 27, 08:17 PM
Atlantic: There is a possibility that new sanctions against Iran will be ineffective

A reputable American publication stated that the president of this country was placed under sanctions due to a military defeat by Iran, and wrote that there is also a possibility that the new sanctions will be ineffective.

StateRTAug 27, 06:43 PM
Washington’s new Iran sanctions reveal more than America would like

After an inconclusive military campaign, Washington is leaning on the dollar because coercion now costs less than another failed air war Read Full Article at RT.com

IndependentThe IndependentAug 27, 06:33 PM
Iran scrambles to sustain trade as US threatens to sanction countries that refuse to break ties

Iran's economy is poised for more instability as the Trump administration tries to coerce other countries into ending all financial dealings with the Islamic Republic

WireAssociated PressAug 27, 06:33 PM
Iran scrambles to sustain trade as US threatens to sanction countries that refuse to break ties - AP News

Iran scrambles to sustain trade as US threatens to sanction countries that refuse to break ties  AP News

IndependentThe EconomistAug 27, 06:02 PM
America’s new sanctions are unlikely to topple Iran’s regime - The Economist

America’s new sanctions are unlikely to topple Iran’s regime  The Economist

IndependentSouth China Morning PostAug 27, 05:30 PM
China and Iran sanctions: what US moves mean for Beijing, and its retaliation options

The United States has imposed sweeping sanctions on nearly 60 Iran-linked entities, spanning digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping, as Washington seeks to “sever every economic lifeline” that sustains Tehran. Beijing denounced the measures, with the Chinese foreign ministry calling them “illegal unilateral sanctions” and vowing to “take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its rights and interests”. With the fresh sanctions complicating an already delicate diplomatic...

PublicDeutsche WelleAug 27, 04:37 PM
Could new US sanctions tear China and Iran apart?

Washington's strategy of putting maximum economic pressure on Iran is tempered by its desire to smooth political tensions with China.

IndependentWIONAug 27, 02:20 PM
US-Iran war: New US sanctions target Iran's economy and trade - WION

US-Iran war: New US sanctions target Iran's economy and trade  WION

IndependentArab NewsAug 27, 11:41 AM
Will US sanctions on Iran bite? It may depend on China - Arab News

Will US sanctions on Iran bite? It may depend on China  Arab News

IndependentLe MondeAug 27, 03:41 AM
Facing US sanctions, China stands firm on Iran

Amid US threats against Tehran's trading partners, Beijing asserts its firmness while seeking to avoid escalation just one month ahead of a new meeting between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump.

IndependentHamshahriAug 26, 09:00 PM
US Fears China's Retaliation for Economic War Against Iran

The new economic war by the US against Iran has not yet begun, but China's threats and concerns over the consequences of sanctions have placed Washington facing a new front.

IndependentSouth China Morning PostAug 26, 06:00 PM
China vows payback for US Iran sanctions, testing stability ahead of Xi-Trump summit

Beijing has vowed to retaliate against Washington’s expanded Iran sanctions targeting Chinese entities, threatening a clash that could erode recent stability in the US-China relationship and become a new flashpoint weeks before President Xi Jinping visits the US, according to observers. But they say that efforts on both sides, such as this week’s Track 1.5 dialogue, could serve as a check on tensions and allow each side to understand the other’s concerns. The US on Monday announced fresh...

IndependentinfobaeAug 26, 05:31 PM
China lashes out at Trump's new sanctions on Iran

Special Reports - Business

IndependentSouth China Morning PostAug 26, 01:13 PM
US pulls China punches in Iran ‘economic D-Day’ sanctions

China warned of reprisals against possible United States sanctions as the Trump administration launched “economic D-Day” in a bid to isolate Iran following six months of military conflict. “China will do everything necessary to firmly safeguard its rights and interests,” foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters on Tuesday. Economic warfare would “only serve to fuel tensions and lead to risk spillover”, he said. The US on Monday demanded countries take “immediate action” to cut economic...

WireAntaraAug 26, 12:26 PM
China warns about US unilateral sanctions 'strangling' Iran's economy

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian on Tuesday (August 25) emphasized that his country is very ...

IndependentDaily MailAug 26, 11:50 AM
Beijing threatens Trump over Iran sanctions and says it will strike back at US if China suffers - Daily Mail

Beijing threatens Trump over Iran sanctions and says it will strike back at US if China suffers  Daily Mail

IndependentThe Phnom Penh PostAug 26, 05:25 AM
China opposes US secondary sanctions threat against Iran’s trading partners

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular news briefing that China will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its own rights and interests. BEIJING – China reiterated on Tuesday that it firmly opposes illegal, unilateral sanctions lacking any basis in international law and unauthorized by the United Nations Security Council, following reports saying [...]

IndependentStraits TimesAug 26, 05:00 AM
China’s Xi signals defiance as US threatens sanctions over Iran help - The Straits Times

China’s Xi signals defiance as US threatens sanctions over Iran help  The Straits Times

PublicNHK WorldAug 26, 04:36 AM
China reacts sharply to US sanctions against Iran - nhk.or.jp

China reacts sharply to US sanctions against Iran  nhk.or.jp

IndependentDe StandaardAug 26, 01:59 AM
China thanks festively for American sanctions on Iran

If it depends on the US, Iran will become an economic pariah entirely. The Emirates announced a trade boycott last week, but especially the cooperation of China is crucial and Beijing speaks threatening language ... towards the US.

WireUnited Press InternationalAug 25, 11:07 PM
China angered over U.S. sanctions against Iran

China is angrily pushing back against the President Donald Trump administration on new sanctions against Iran that will harm it.

IndependentWIONAug 25, 09:56 PM
China warns US it could retaliate over Iran sanctions - WION

China warns US it could retaliate over Iran sanctions  WION

IndependentWashington PostAug 25, 09:28 PM
China rebukes Trump’s economic pressure campaign seeking to isolate Iran - The Washington Post

China rebukes Trump’s economic pressure campaign seeking to isolate Iran  The Washington Post

IndependentThe National UAEAug 25, 09:03 PM
US sanctions threaten China’s Iranian oil lifeline as Hormuz blockade cuts imports 48% - thenationalnews.com

US sanctions threaten China’s Iranian oil lifeline as Hormuz blockade cuts imports 48%  thenationalnews.com

IndependentAl-AhramAug 25, 08:01 PM
China says will 'safeguard own interests' after US vows Iran sanctions - Region - World - Ahram Online

China says will 'safeguard own interests' after US vows Iran sanctions - Region - World Ahram Online

WireSputnikAug 25, 07:52 PM
China to Resolutely Defend Own Interests Despite US Pressure Over Iran - Foreign Ministry

BEIJING (Sputnik) - China will take all necessary measures to resolutely protect its legitimate interests despite the pressure coming from the United States due to Beijing's support of Tehran, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Tuesday.

IndependentMiddle East EyeAug 25, 07:05 PM
China warns US of retaliation over expansion of Iran sanctions - Middle East Eye

China warns US of retaliation over expansion of Iran sanctions  Middle East Eye

IndependentThe IndependentAug 25, 06:52 PM
China criticizes Trump’s threat of sanctions against Iran
IndependentAl JazeeraAug 25, 06:43 PM
China says will safeguard its own interests as US expands Iran sanctions

China has advocated for a ceasefire, insisting US sanctions will not resolve the Middle East conflict.

IndependentLa VanguardiaAug 25, 06:32 PM
China threatens retaliation if its companies are affected by sanctions against Iran

Among the measures announced by the U.S. Treasury secretary are companies based in mainland China and Hong Kong

IndependentNigerian TribuneAug 25, 06:04 PM
China warns of retaliation after US expands Iran sanctions

China has warned that it will take measures to protect its interests after the United States announced plans to expand economic sanctions against Iran and countries that continue trading with Tehran. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Beijing strongly opposed what he described as “illegal unilateral sanctions” and would take “all necessary measures” to […] The post China warns of retaliation after US expands Iran sanctions appeared first on Tribune Online.

IndependentEl ComercioAug 25, 05:00 PM
China says it will defend its interests against the United States' announcement of sanctions against Iran

China challenges the new U.S. sanctions against Iran and assures that it will protect its interests and trade with Tehran.

IndependentWIONAug 25, 04:12 PM
China warns US as Iran sanctions widen; Tehran says it is 'fully prepared' - WION

China warns US as Iran sanctions widen; Tehran says it is 'fully prepared'  WION

IndependentinfobaeAug 25, 03:54 PM
China threatens US with retaliation after announcement of sanctions on Iran that could affect its secret agreements

Beijing warned that it will take "all necessary measures" if Washington expands its offensive against Chinese companies linked to Iranian oil. Tensions are rising among the powers as the summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping approaches

PublicBBC WorldAug 25, 03:53 PM
China hits out at 'illegal' new US sanctions on Iran and trading partners

The US has threatened to isolate nations that continue to do business with Tehran, which sells much of its oil to Beijing.

IndependentThe GuardianAug 25, 03:43 PM
China denounces US threat of sanctions over trade with Iran

Beijing says it will take ‘all necessary measures’ to protect its interests as US steps up efforts to isolate Tehran Explainer: could US sanctions threaten China-Iran ties? China has denounced the threat of US sanctions for its trade with Iran, saying any such measures would be illegal, and warned it will take “all necessary measures” to protect its national interests. Beijing’s rejection of the US threat of secondary sanctions for any country or entity continuing to trade with Tehran had been predicted. China buys an estimated 80% of Iran’s oil exports and it has defied previous US efforts to limit the flow of revenue to the Tehran regime. Continue reading...

StateXinhuaAug 25, 03:26 PM
China warns against unilateral sanctions after U.S. vows "economic asphyxiation" of Iran - Xinhua

China warns against unilateral sanctions after U.S. vows "economic asphyxiation" of Iran  Xinhua

PublicBritish Broadcasting CorporationAug 25, 02:56 PM
China warns it will safeguard its interests after US widens sanctions against Iran

The US has threatened to isolate nations that continue to do business with Tehran, which sells much of its oil to Beijing.

PublicBBC WorldAug 25, 02:56 PM
China warns it will safeguard its interests after US widens sanctions against Iran

The US has threatened to isolate nations that continue to do business with Tehran, which sells much of its oil to Beijing.

IndependentMiddle East EyeAug 25, 02:36 PM
China warns US against expanding Iran sanctions to Chinese firms - Middle East Eye

China warns US against expanding Iran sanctions to Chinese firms  Middle East Eye

IndependentAl ArabiyaAug 25, 02:06 PM
China to Protect Interests Amid US Sanctions on Iran - Al Arabiya English

China to Protect Interests Amid US Sanctions on Iran  Al Arabiya English

IndependentFinancial TimesAug 25, 01:27 PM
China warns US it could retaliate over Iran sanctions

Beijing says it will take ‘all necessary measures’ if Washington expands crackdown on business with Tehran

IndependentTimes of MaltaAug 25, 12:55 PM
China says it will 'safeguard its own interests' after US vows Iran sanctions - Times of Malta

China says it will 'safeguard its own interests' after US vows Iran sanctions  Times of Malta

PublicLithuanian National Radio and TelevisionAug 25, 12:13 PM
JAV impose sanctions on Iran, China vows to defend its interests

China vowed on Tuesday to defend its interests, as Washington presented plans for an economic 'stranglehold' on Iran.

WireAzerbaijan State News AgencyAug 25, 11:36 AM
China vows to 'protect legitimate rights' amid US sanctions threats over Iran trade - Azərtac

China vows to 'protect legitimate rights' amid US sanctions threats over Iran trade Azərtac