US Launches Economic D-Day Against Iran, Targets China Over Oil Trade
The United States has launched what is being called an 'Economic D-Day' to isolate Iran, and in doing so, has also threatened China over its oil trade with Tehran. According to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, China reported $9.96 billion in bilateral trade with Iran in 2025, not including the roughly $31.2 billion in unreported Iranian crude oil exports to China that year.
The move is seen as a serious escalation of the economic war on Iran, which has been ongoing for several years. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that 'any entity that facilitates money laundering on behalf of Iran will be removed from the US dollar system,' and stated that the clock had started ticking.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Wenbin responded by saying that China would 'take all necessary measures to safeguard its rights and interests with resolve.' The situation is complex, with some analysts predicting that the U.S. will struggle to cut off Chinese economic ties without provoking a retaliatory response from Beijing.
The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point in the conflict, with oil flows through the waterway reaching as high as five million barrels per day yesterday, according to preliminary data from Fortexa. This is down from more than 20 million before the war.