Media: US plans new measures to block Iranian oil shipments to China

The US administration plans to take new steps to impede Iranian oil exports to China, aiming to secure concessions from Tehran in negotiations over its nuclear program, Axios reports.

According to sources cited by the outlet, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed during a White House meeting on Wednesday that the United States would increase economic pressure on Iran, largely targeting its oil sales to China.

The report noted that Washington believes this approach could push Iran to make significant “concessions regarding its nuclear program.”

On January 26, US officials announced that a “massive armada” was being deployed toward Iran, expressing hope that Tehran would engage in negotiations and reach a “fair and equitable” deal involving full renunciation of nuclear weapons. 

The US warned that “the next strike will be even worse,” referencing summer 2025 attacks on the Islamic Republic, and urged measures to prevent further escalation.

A new round of US-Iran talks on resolving the nuclear crisis took place on February 6 in Oman, with Iran represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the US by President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff.

By Jeyhun Aghazada