Trump Threatens Economic Isolation for Iran, Targets China's Oil Trade

US President Donald Trump has threatened Iran and its trading partners with economic isolation after months of military strikes and a maritime blockade failed to force Tehran to capitulate. The move puts an immediate focus on China, which buys the bulk of Iran's oil.

Brent crude prices advanced for a fifth day to about $94 a barrel, reaching the highest this month. Beijing responded by saying that sanctions and pressure wouldn't work and called for a diplomatic resolution.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Trump's threats were a 'diversion' from America's own crises of unprecedented debt and surging interest costs. He added that US economic terrorism threatens the global economy and sovereignty worldwide.