US Senators Call for Increased Sanctions on China Due to Oil Transactions with Iran

A group of senior U.S. senators on Friday, July 14, sent a letter to the U.S. Secretaries of State and Treasury, urging sanctions against individuals and entities in China that continue to buy, refine, or engage in oil and petrochemical transactions originating from Iran. According to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senators Jim Risch, Marco Rubio, John Barrasso, Lindsey Graham, Rick Scott, Jerry Moran, and Bill Hagerty expressed concern over China's $47 billion purchase of Iranian oil since Joe Biden took office. The letter highlighted the 'illegal oil exports' by the Islamic Republic and called for 'U.S. government action' against 'China's financial abuses' of Iran, stating that the increasing number of Islamic Republic ships used for 'illegal oil trade' is alarming as China is profiting more for Tehran by 'circumventing sanctions.' The letter addressed to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen emphasized the negative consequences of 'weak sanctions enforcement,' including 'financing' terrorist attacks against U.S. soldiers and diplomats, 'suppressing protests in Iran,' and 'supporting Russia's aggression against Ukraine.' The signatories urged these two Biden administration officials to impose sanctions on individuals and entities in China that continue to buy, refine, or engage in oil and petrochemical transactions with the Islamic Republic. They called for 'enforcement of existing sanctions' and 'imposition of new sanctions' against individuals, entities, ports, and refineries active in Iran's oil and petrochemical sector, 'especially in China.' The letter stressed the importance of preventing 'support for Iran's petrochemical industry' and curbing the 'malicious activities' of the Islamic Republic while calling for the protection of 'U.S. national interests and security.' Recently, Voice of America reported that amid ongoing concerns over the Islamic Republic's military programs, several U.S. lawmakers proposed a bipartisan plan to sanction a wide range of the Islamic Republic's missile and drone activities. Increased meetings between senior U.S. and Chinese officials to reduce rising tensions between the two countries are on the agenda, as well as the growing risks posed by China, which will be a focal point at the upcoming NATO leaders' summit. The Wall Street Journal noted that the Islamic Republic is 'circumventing' drone sanctions by 'copying' them. The publication of Germany's strategy document regarding China indicates that Beijing has become 'bolder.' The Vilnius summit will see NATO seeking specific actions regarding China.