🇺🇸🇨🇳🇮🇷 US tightens the noose on Iran — but spares China
Washington has just launched a new economic offensive against Iran, called “Operation Economic Outcast,” with more than 60 sanctions against people, companies, and vessels linked to oil revenues, the nuclear program, sanctions evasion, and Iranian cyber operations. (The Wall Street Journal)
But there is a strategic contradiction: Iran’s biggest lifeline for economic survival is still China.
Beijing is the top buyer of Iranian oil and has helped Tehran maintain commercial and financial channels despite US sanctions. To truly strangle Iran’s economy, Washington would have to pressure Chinese companies and institutions involved in this trade much more heavily.
The problem is that doing so could put the US–China relationship itself at risk. After the trade tensions of recent years, the White House appears to be trying to avoid turning the campaign against Iran into a new economic war with Beijing.
And that’s the real dilemma: Washington wants to isolate Iran without provoking a rupture with China.
Meanwhile, the American strategy is expanding pressure on sectors such as oil, technology, gold, aviation, maritime transport, and digital assets.
If China continues buying Iranian oil and providing payment channels, how far can the US truly squeeze Tehran?
The answer could determine not only Iran’s future, but also the next chapter in the economic standoff between Washington and Beijing.
#US #China #Iran #Geopolitics #Oil #Sanctions #Trump #Economy
Washington has just launched a new economic offensive against Iran, called “Operation Economic Outcast,” with more than 60 sanctions against people, companies, and vessels linked to oil revenues, the nuclear program, sanctions evasion, and Iranian cyber operations. (The Wall Street Journal)
But there is a strategic contradiction: Iran’s biggest lifeline for economic survival is still China.
Beijing is the top buyer of Iranian oil and has helped Tehran maintain commercial and financial channels despite US sanctions. To truly strangle Iran’s economy, Washington would have to pressure Chinese companies and institutions involved in this trade much more heavily.
The problem is that doing so could put the US–China relationship itself at risk. After the trade tensions of recent years, the White House appears to be trying to avoid turning the campaign against Iran into a new economic war with Beijing.
And that’s the real dilemma: Washington wants to isolate Iran without provoking a rupture with China.
Meanwhile, the American strategy is expanding pressure on sectors such as oil, technology, gold, aviation, maritime transport, and digital assets.
If China continues buying Iranian oil and providing payment channels, how far can the US truly squeeze Tehran?
The answer could determine not only Iran’s future, but also the next chapter in the economic standoff between Washington and Beijing.
#US #China #Iran #Geopolitics #Oil #Sanctions #Trump #Economy
