On May 4, China Daily's Chinese website published an article stating: "The United States is intensifying efforts to cut off Iran’s most critical financial lifeline—the clandestine oil trade between Iran and China. Washington has targeted Chinese private refineries known as the 'Teapot Refineries,' which have nearly absorbed all of Iran’s oil exports."
[Witty] Commenting briefly: The U.S. is now relentlessly targeting China’s 'Teapot Refineries,' essentially aiming to sever Iran’s lifeline funding. This move demonstrates the harshness of America’s 'long-arm jurisdiction.' Over 80% of Iran’s oil is processed by Chinese private refineries; in 2024, Iran’s exports to China exceeded 1 million barrels per day—this is the backbone of Iran’s economy. Since the U.S. withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018, it has consistently pursued 'maximum pressure': first reducing Iran’s oil exports to just 100,000 barrels per day, and now turning its sights on Chinese refineries with the goal of completely eliminating Iran’s oil revenue.
Though this appears to be a bilateral confrontation, it is actually a struggle for global energy influence. The U.S. leverages its dollar hegemony to force countries to take sides—but China has its own strategic calculations: private refineries lack heavy crude oil, while Iranian oil offers high cost-effectiveness and helps stabilize Iran’s economy. More importantly, China recently issued a 'blocking statute' refusing to recognize U.S. sanctions—this is a direct challenge to American-style hegemony. History has shown that sanctions cannot subjugate sovereign nations; instead, they push China, Russia, and Iran closer together, driving the reconstruction of a fairer global energy trading order.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864255752867907/
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