US Seeks China's Help to Choke Iran Economically

The United States has threatened to impose severe economic sanctions on Iran, but analysts say that a successful 'economic asphyxiation' would require unlikely cooperation from China.

The US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Beijing to 'get with the program', but China instead defended its cooperation with Tehran and vowed to safeguard its interests.

China is a key customer for Iranian oil, accounting for millions of barrels of oil per day before the war. While Chinese purchases are lower now, they remain an important source of revenue for Iran.

The US can't expect China's support if it continues to implement sanctions on Chinese companies, said Fudan University's Sun Degang. Sino-Iranian trade relations are legitimate and China will safeguard its economic sovereignty.