Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu agreed in Washington that the US would intensify efforts to curb Iran’s oil exports to China as part of renewed maximum pressure
The United States and Israel have agreed to intensify efforts to curb Iran’s oil exports to China following talks between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday, according to Axios, which cited two US officials briefed on the matter.
The understanding was reported on Saturday, with Axios quoting a senior
US official as saying, “We agreed that we will go full force with maximum pressure against Iran, for example, regarding Iranian oil sales to China.”
Focus on Iran’s oil trade with China
China accounts for more than 80 per cent of Iran’s oil exports, making it the primary destination for Tehran’s crude shipments. Any reduction in that trade would result in lower oil revenue for Iran.
Beijing’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday, which marked the first day of a national holiday for the Lunar New Year.
Diplomacy alongside military positioning
The reported agreement comes as US and Iranian diplomats held nuclear talks through Omani mediators last week in an effort to revive diplomacy.
At the same time, the US president positioned a naval flotilla in the region as the American military prepares for the possibility of sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran.
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