Chinese foreign affairs spokesperson.
China on Friday, August 21, asserted that the United States’ imposition of “sanctions and pressure” would not help resolve conflict in the region. China’s observation comes in the wake of Washington’s open call to governments to join efforts to isolate Iran.
Nearing the six-month mark of the Iran war and facing diminishing stockpiles of key weapons, the Trump administration is touting a crushing financial campaign against Tehran, promising an “economic D-Day” against a country that has so far withstood nearly five decades of punishing American sanctions.
Asked about President Donald Trump’s threats, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told the media on Friday that “sanctions and pressure will not help resolve the issue”.
The spokesperson reiterated China’s calls for dialogue between the US and Iran and wrote on X that the country “opposes unilateral sanctions that lack basis in international law and the UN Security Council mandate.”
With sparse details, President Donald Trump announced this week that the US would be imposing an “unprecedented” level of economic warfare and isolation on Iran, aiming to force its leadership to cave to demands to end its nuclear programme and fully reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz to oil and natural gas tankers.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also announced on Thursday what he described as “the toughest sanctions ever imposed on Iran”. He said details of the measures would be unveiled coming Monday, August 24, suggesting they could reduce the need for further major military operations.
Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has said that Iran must prepare to overcome what he called “unjust sanctions”. Qalibaf, one of Iran’s most influential political figures and Tehran’s top negotiator in talks with the United States, said economic development and security were closely linked.
(With inputs from AP)
This post was last modified on August 21, 2026 10:57 pm