WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed during a White House meeting to intensify efforts aimed at reducing Iran’s oil exports to China, according to a report by Axios citing US officials familiar with the discussions.
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A senior US official said the two leaders had agreed to pursue “maximum pressure” measures against Tehran, particularly targeting Iranian crude shipments to China, which currently purchases more than 80 percent of Iran’s exported oil.
Responding to the report, China’s foreign ministry said that normal cooperation conducted within international law should be respected and protected, signalling Beijing’s opposition to external pressure on its energy trade.
Any successful move to curb Iranian oil sales to China could significantly reduce Tehran’s revenue, increasing economic pressure amid ongoing diplomatic efforts over Iran’s nuclear programme.
The development comes as US and Iranian diplomats recently held indirect talks through Omani mediators in an attempt to revive stalled negotiations. Meanwhile, Washington has reinforced its military presence in the region, positioning naval forces as preparations continue for the possibility of prolonged operations if diplomacy fails.
