US Reportedly Considering Sanctioning Iran Oil Imports to China To Pressure Iran on Vienna Nuclear Talks

The Biden Administration is developing options for jacking up the pressure on Iran to resume the nuclear talks in Geneva. One plan being drafted would choke off Iran’s swelling crude-oil sales to China, the country’s main client, through fresh sanctions targeting the shipping networks that help export an estimated one million barrels a day and bring critical revenue to Iran, unnamed administration officials told the Wall Street Journal yesterday. “There is not much left to sanction in Iran’s economy,” said one of the U.S. officials. “Iran’s oil sales to China is the prize.” No decision has been made on proceeding, the officials said. There are risks that the effort could backfire, driving Iran to accelerate its nuclear program. Other options are also being considered, the officials said.