The United States has imposed sanctions on Chinese importers of Iranian oil.

 

The United States has imposed new sanctions on Iranian oil exports. The sanctions also include a Chinese “Teapot” oil refinery.

US President Donald Trump’s administration has taken a policy of increasing pressure on Tehran. In a statement, the US Treasury Department said that the move will increase pressure on Chinese importers.

The Trump administration’s move to impose sanctions is an attempt to re-establish a “maximum pressure” policy on Iran to reduce the country’s oil exports to zero.

The move comes as the Trump administration has resumed talks on Iran’s nuclear program this month. A round of talks took place in Oman last week. A second round of talks is scheduled for later this week in Rome.

The Treasury Department said on Wednesday that it had imposed sanctions on a Chinese-based independent Teapot oil refinery. It is alleged to be involved in buying more than $1 billion worth of Iranian crude. It is the second Chinese independent oil refinery to be targeted by the Trump administration.

Treasury Secretary Scott Besant said, “Any refiner, company or broker that buys Iranian oil or assists in its oil trade will be at serious risk.”

He added, “The United States is committed to targeting and disrupting all parties that support Iran’s oil supply chain, as Iran uses the proceeds of this oil to support its terrorist partners and allies.”

These teapot refineries in China have not been subject to US sanctions in the past because they have no direct connection to the US financial system. It is worth noting that China’s state-owned oil companies have stopped buying Iranian oil for fear of US sanctions.

Washington has also imposed sanctions on several other companies and ships. It is claimed that they were helping to transport Iranian oil to China.