The United States has sanctioned a Chinese-owned oil refinery as part of its operation, Economic Fury, to crush networks linked to or aiding the Iranian government. The US Treasury stated that the refinery, referred to as a “teapot refinery,” is an independently owned venture that continued to receive and refine oil, playing a crucial role in sustaining Iran’s oil economy.
The US Treasury, in announcing the secondary sanctions, said, “Hengli is one of Iran’s largest customers for crude oil and other petroleum products, having purchased billions of dollars’ worth of Iranian petroleum.”
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions were part of the US “Economic Fury” operation against Iran. The sanctions on the firm now include blocking of “all property and interests” in the US for persons named by the Treasury.
The Chinese embassy in Washington didn’t issue any comment on the subject yet, but a response is expected soon, sources said.
Meanwhile, China has constantly rejected US sanctioning its firms and assets as illegal unilateral sanctions against countries and has called for talks to end the war in the Middle East.
Besides, the United States government last year imposed sanctions on three other “teapot” refineries — Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group, Shandong ShouguangLuqing Petrochemical, and Shandong Shengxing Chemical — for purchasing Iranian oil.
Follow us
