President Donald Trump announced he is considering lifting sanctions on Chinese companies that import Iranian oil.
According to Yonhap News, Trump made the remarks on May 15 while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One after his state visit to China. He stated, "I discussed the issue of sanctions with Chinese President Xi Jinping. A decision will be made in the coming days."
When asked whether Xi had committed to pressuring Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Trump replied, "I do not ask for any favors. If you ask for a favor, you must reciprocate."
He added, "I believe Xi is already interested in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, as China derives a significant portion of its oil from the Gulf. In contrast, the U.S. does not need it at all."
Earlier, on May 11, the U.S. Treasury Department designated three individuals and nine companies as targets for sanctions for supporting the export of Iranian oil to China. Among the sanctioned companies, four are based in Hong Kong.
On May 1, the Treasury also imposed sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals identified as conduits for importing Iranian petroleum, and on May 8, it sanctioned ten entities involved in supporting Iran's weapons and drone production, including companies and individuals from China and Hong Kong.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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