The Chinese Embassy in Washington pushed back sharply against the latest round of US sanctions targeting Iran’s oil exports, warning that the measures risk further destabilizing an already fragile Middle East and could deal a blow to global economic growth.
Washington has steadily escalated its “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran’s oil sector this year, with the Treasury and State Departments repeatedly designating China-based “teapot” refineries, storage terminals, and shadow-fleet tankers accused of moving sanctioned Iranian crude into Chinese ports.
A September 2025 round targeted a China-based terminal operator that had received at least eight Iranian crude cargoes, along with several vessel management companies. A subsequent October action added roughly 40 more individuals, entities and vessels tied to the Iranian energy trade, including another China-based petrochemical terminal, marking the fourth such round targeting Chinese refineries this year.
The latest expansion continues that pattern, again placing Chinese buyers and facilitators of Iranian oil in Washington’s crosshairs.
Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu told Congress.net the sanctions would not achieve their intended effect and called on all sides to step back from confrontation.
“Sanctions and pressure tactics do no help in resolving issues. They will only lead to escalation that serves no one’s interest,” Liu said.
“China calls on parties to act rationally and with restraint, and avoid taking any measure that may further escalate tensions or deal a blow to global economic growth and financial stability. They need to return to the right track of political settlement through dialogue and negotiation at an early date. China will closely watch relevant developments and do what is necessary to protect our legitimate rights and interests.”
The comments come against the backdrop of persistent instability around the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway between Iran, Oman and the UAE through which a significant share of the world’s traded oil and liquefied natural gas passes. The strait has repeatedly become a flashpoint amid the broader Iran-Israel conflict, including reported Iranian proposals to impose tolls on transiting vessels — an idea the UN’s International Maritime Organization has warned would “set a dangerous precedent.”
Liu addressed the strait directly, framing unimpeded passage as a shared international interest rather than a bilateral dispute between Iran and the West.
“The Strait of Hormuz is a strait for international navigation. It is in the common interest of regional countries and the international community to resume unimpeded passage through the strait as soon as possible,” he said.
“We call for concrete steps from relevant parties to prevent deterioration of the situation. China stands ready to work together with the international community and make sustained efforts to promote peace talks and deescalation.”
On the wider conflict, Liu reiterated Beijing’s long-standing position that military solutions cannot resolve the underlying disputes, pointing to diplomatic initiatives China has floated since fighting broke out.
“China’s position on this issue is clear and consistent. We have always believed that dialogue and negotiation are the right way forward, and that military means offer no solution,” Liu said.
“Since the outbreak of the conflict, China has been working actively for a ceasefire and making every effort to promote peace. President Xi Jinping has put forward four proposals for maintaining and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, and China and Pakistan have jointly proposed a five-point initiative on restoring peace and stability in the Gulf region and the Middle East.”
Liu said Beijing intends to keep pressing that diplomatic track going forward.
“China will continue to follow the spirit of President Xi Jinping’s four proposals, work with the international community to provide greater support for dialogue and negotiations, and play a constructive role in achieving lasting peace in the Middle East,” he said.
