China's squeeze on Washington: What's Iran's role?

The Trump administration faces a complex dilemma in intensifying economic pressure on Iran, requiring cooperation from China, the least likely partner, to succeed. The success of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's new sanctions strategy depends heavily on Beijing's cooperation. China, the world's second-largest economy, is Iran's primary economic lifeline, purchasing most of its oil exports worth tens of billions of dollars last year. Beijing explicitly rejects unilateral sanctions and vows to protect its legitimate interests, warning that maximum pressure will escalate tensions and disrupt global financial order. The threats come ahead of President Xi Jinping's visit to the US next month, with analysts noting limited US leverage over China. Washington could target Chinese state-owned subsidiaries involved in Iranian oil trade, though Beijing views such secondary sanctions as a dangerous precedent.