Washington (HRNW)- The New York Times has reported in an analysis that US efforts to economically isolate Iran are unlikely to succeed without China’s cooperation, given Beijing’s extensive trade and oil-import relationship with Tehran.
According to the analysis, China conducted around $41.2 billion in trade with Iran in 2025 and imported approximately $31.2 billion worth of Iranian crude oil during the same year. Chinese buyers can account for a significant share of Iran’s oil exports, making China a crucial source of revenue for Tehran.
The report noted that smaller Chinese refineries, known as “teapots,” are among the major buyers of Iranian oil and may be less exposed to traditional US sanctions because of their limited connections to the global financial system.
The analysis also highlighted China’s ability to exert economic pressure on the United States by restricting exports of critical minerals needed by American technology and defense industries. As a result, Washington faces a strategic dilemma: it can increase sanctions on Iran, but completely isolating Tehran economically would be difficult if Beijing maintains its trade and energy ties with Iran.
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