Trump says he may lift sanctions on Chinese firms buying Iranian oil

US President Donald Trump said he will decide in the coming days whether to lift sanctions on Chinese oil companies purchasing Iranian crude, signaling a possible shift in Washington’s enforcement of restrictions on Tehran’s energy exports.

Trump also dismissed reports suggesting that Iran had preserved much of its missile capability during the conflict, Iran International reports. 

“They say Iran maintained its missile capacity. No, 80% is gone,” he said, without providing further details.

Trump also noted that he might agree to a 20-year suspension of Iran’s nuclear programme.

The US State Department announced on May 8 that it had imposed sanctions on four entities, including three China-based firms, accused of supplying sensitive satellite imagery used to support Iranian military operations against US forces in the Middle East.

Earlier, the US Treasury Department also targeted Chinese oil refineries alleged to have purchased crude oil from Iran, as well as shipping companies involved in transporting the supplies. The measures cut the firms off from the US financial system and penalise any entities conducting business with them.

Beijing has condemned the sanctions as “illegal unilateral pressure” and introduced a blocking statute, first passed in 2021 and only recently activated, which prohibits Chinese entities from complying with or recognising certain foreign sanctions.

By Sabina Mammadli