Trump says China can keep buying Iranian oil despite U.S. sanctions

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that China can continue purchasing oil from Iran, despite Washington’s previous move to tighten sanctions on Tehran’s oil exports. The announcement, made on Trump’s Truth Social platform while en route to the NATO summit in The Hague, signals a surprising concession that could ease economic pressure on Iran.

“China can now continue to purchase oil from Iran. Hopefully, they will be purchasing plenty from the U.S., also,” Trump wrote. The statement has raised eyebrows given the U.S. administration’s earlier stance, which involved expanding sanctions on Iranian oil shipments—particularly those headed to China—as part of its “maximum pressure” campaign.

China has long been Iran’s most vital oil customer, buying over 90% of its oil exports. According to data from energy analysis firm Kpler, Beijing imported 1.3 million barrels per day of Iranian crude in April. That figure was slightly down from a five-month high recorded in March, yet still a significant volume that helps Tehran circumvent global financial restrictions.

Last month, the U.S. had unveiled a new round of sanctions targeting this very trade route, aiming to disrupt the Iran-China oil link and further weaken Iran’s economy. However, Trump’s recent remark appears to offer a reprieve—at least rhetorically—for both Tehran and Beijing.

Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions remain high in the Middle East. China has publicly condemned recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites and has urged for de-escalation, calling on all regional players—”especially Israel”—to exercise restraint. Beijing continues to advocate for a diplomatic resolution to the broader conflict involving Iran and Israel, though analysts note that the intensifying hostilities have diminished China’s ability to influence outcomes in the region.