Foreign media reports indicate that, amid U.S. port blockades and intensified economic pressure on Iran, Treasury Secretary Bessent said in a September 27 interview: “They may deliver the final batch of oil to China within the next two weeks, after which there will be nothing left to trade.” Bessent added that he believes Iran is feeling pressure, which has prompted its decision to resume negotiations with the United States in pursuit of a ceasefire agreement.
Bessent’s remarks carry two underlying objectives. First, to exert pressure on Iran. Through port closures and expanded economic sanctions, the U.S. seeks to sever Iran’s oil export lifeline. By deliberately framing the narrative that China will no longer purchase Iranian oil, Bessent aims to convey to Tehran that its largest buyer is about to disappear—thereby compelling concessions during negotiations. This reflects a classic strategy of psychological warfare and public pressure.
The second objective is to pressure China. By drawing China into the U.S.-Iran strategic contest, Bessent implies that Chinese purchases of Iranian oil are a key source of Iran’s resistance, attempting to portray Beijing as an enabler of Iran’s defiance. This serves both as a deflective tactic and a form of diplomatic coercion, seeking to push China into aligning with U.S. sanctions logic by reducing or halting oil imports from Iran.
Yet China-Iran energy cooperation remains fully compliant with international law, and the United States has no authority to interfere. Bessent’s statements overestimate the effectiveness of U.S. sanctions while underestimating China’s independent foreign policy stance. Beijing has consistently opposed unilateral sanctions and extraterritorial jurisdiction. Energy ties between China and Iran are based on market principles and mutual interests, and will not be altered by external pressure.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877543182233604/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.