New US sanctions for Iranian oil sales to China: Tehran government responds harshly with "unjustified and illegal measures"

Iran has strongly condemned the new financial sanctions imposed by the United States, calling them “illegal” and “unjustified". Sanctions target Iranian crude oil sales to China, accused of financing – according to the US - the Tehran's military activities.

Sanctions against Iran's oil export network

Yesterday, Thursday, February 6, the United States Department of the Treasury announced new sanctions against an "international network" accused of facilitate the shipment of millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil to China worth hundreds of millions of dollars. According to the U.S. Treasury, The proceeds from the sale of oil are used to finance the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its operations in the region.

The declaration of The Treasury Department emphasizes that this revenue goes to support groups like Hamas e Hezbollah, both designated as terrorist organizations by the United States. The oil was reportedly transported on behalf of the Iranian Armed Forces General Staff through front companies, including Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars, which had previously been hit by sanctions.

The reaction from the Tehran government: “illegal and violent measures”

The Iranian reaction was not long in coming. In an official note, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei called the sanctions "an illegitimate, illegal and violent decision“, which prevents Iran from conducting legal trade with its economic partners, particularly China. “This measure is completely unjustified and contrary to international rules.“, added Baqaei, accusing the United States of systematically violating international law.

Also the Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has spoken out expressing strong disappointment. "No problem will be solved by negotiating with America“, he specified during a meeting with Iranian army commanders. “If the United States violates the security of the Iranian nation, we will respond without hesitation".

Khamenei also criticized the US strategy of imposing sanctions as a tool of pressure. "Americans make statements about us, express opinions and issue threats. If they threaten us, we will threaten them. If they carry out their threats, we will carry out ours. If they attack our nation's security, we will attack their security without hesitation.", he has declared.

A long history of sanctions

The new sanctions fall within the US sanctions policy against Iran, reintroduced after Washington's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018. This strategy aims to to economically isolate Iran and force it to negotiate new terms on its nuclear program and on regional activities.

The US administration accuses Iran of pursuing a military nuclear program and to support armed organizations in the region. Tehran, on the other hand, has always denied having military objectives in its nuclear program., defining the American accusations as “political propaganda".

Despite strong economic and diplomatic pressure, Iran continues to sell oil to several countries, including China, defying American sanctions and maintaining a position of resistance to US demands.

Risks of escalation in future relationships

The current diplomatic crisis between the United States and Iran risks further escalating, especially in an international context already marked by high geopolitical tensions. Iran has warned that any American attempt to violate the country's security will receive an immediate and proportionate response.

For now, there are no signs of easing. On the contrary, Khamenei's statements and the new sanctions indicate a phase in the relations between the two states, which could continue, with serious consequences both for the Iranian economy and for the stability of the region.