Trump risks China blowback with plan to choke Iran’s economy

Beijing — the main buyer of Iranian oil — will provide the biggest test of Washington's determination to follow through on its plan.

Beijing is the main buyer of Iranian oil, and the Trump administration has so far shown little appetite for challenging its economic links with Iran.

When Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent vowed to ramp up pressure on Iran by targeting its economic partners, he echoed former President George W. Bush’s warning to US allies after the Sept. 11 attacks.