US warns that buyers of Iranian oil could be hit with sanctions

ANIRepresentative image The United States on Wednesday threatened to sanction buyers of Iranian oil and said it believed China would pause such purchases as Washington enforces a maritime blockade on Iran.

"We have told countries that if you are buying Iranian oil, that if Iranian money is sitting in your banks, we are now willing to apply secondary sanctions," U. S. ‌Treasury Secretary Scott ⁠Bessent told ⁠reporters at the White House.

You may follow our live coverage of the West Asia war here The U. S. maritime blockade on Iran began on Monday as the Iran war entered its seventh week. China previously bought more than 80% of Iran's shipped oil. "We believe (that with) this blockade ...

there will be a pause of Chinese buying," Bessent said. Live Events The U. S.

Treasury has also written to two Chinese banks and "told them that if we can prove that there is Iranian money flowing through your accounts, then we ⁠are willing ‌to put on secondary sanctions," he added.

China's embassy in the United States did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Bessent's remarks.

The ⁠Trump administration has long said it is applying "maximum pressure" on Iran over its nuclear program and support for militants across the Middle East, though sanctioned oil has continued to reach China. The U. S.

Treasury Department also targeted Iran's oil transportation infrastructure, imposing sanctions on more than two dozen individuals, companies and vessels on Wednesday.