China lashed out at the Trump administration's new sanctions campaign against Iran on Tuesday, warning it would defend its interests and accusing the U.S. of disrupting the global financial order. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent outlined plans to "sever every economic lifeline" to Iran, targeting more than 60 brokers, companies, and ships, including over a dozen small firms from Hong Kong and China. However, major Chinese financial institutions were conspicuously absent from the list, suggesting Washington's reluctance to jeopardize a fragile truce with Beijing.

Foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said China would "take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its own rights and interests," while state media depicted U.S. sanctions as an addiction. The confrontation highlights a dilemma: China continues buying Iranian oil and supplying materials supporting Tehran's economy and military, yet the U.S. shows little appetite for opening another economic front with an increasingly retaliatory China. With Xi Jinping expected to meet President Trump next month, Bessent emphasized "quiet diplomacy" but vowed to penalize a large international financial institution without specifics.

Analyst Daniel Tannebaum noted Washington remains extremely reluctant to target China, especially as China holds more leverage, including control over critical minerals and supply chains set to resume restrictions after a one-year reprieve.