China blocks US sanctions on five refineries accused of buying Iranian oil
China's Ministry of Commerce has blocked U.S. sanctions on five Chinese refineries accused of purchasing Iranian oil, calling the measures violations of international law. The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on Hengli Petrochemical in April and had previously sanctioned four other refineries starting in 2025. The move comes ahead of a planned meeting between former President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
- ▪The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Hengli Petrochemical Refinery on April 24 and four other Chinese refineries in 2025.
- ▪China's Ministry of Commerce stated the sanctions violate international law and issued an injunction against their recognition or enforcement.
- ▪The five refineries, known as 'teapots,' are major buyers of Iranian crude oil, with Hengli being the second-largest in China.
- ▪The Treasury also sanctioned 40 shipping firms and vessels linked to the transport of Iranian oil.
- ▪Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed the sanctions aim to restrict Iran's regional aggression and nuclear ambitions.
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China’s Ministry of Commerce blocked sanctions against five refineries accused by the Treasury Department of purchasing Iranian oil on Saturday, according to state media. The Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the Hengli Petrochemical Refinery on April 24, while the other four refineries had sanctions imposed on them back in 2025, according to Reuters. Recommended Stories $8.6 billion in arms sales approved for Middle East allies Iran war is ‘us taking out the trash’: Tiana Lowe Doescher CNN’s Scott Jennings tells panelist to ‘get your f***ing hand out of my face’ during heated debate The ministry claimed that the sanctions “violate international law and the basic norms of international relations,” while the injunction “stipulates that the United States cannot recognize, implement,…
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