Chinses Ministry of Commerce announced on Saturday it had decided to combat US sanctions by issuing an injunction targeting measures imposed on five Chinese refiners accused of purchasing Iranian oil, according to Reuters.
US Sanctions
The ministry identified the five entities as Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery, as well as the so-called “teapot” refineries: Shandong Jincheng Petrochemical Group, Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group, Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical, along with Shandong Shengxing Chemical.
The U.S. Treasury has recently imposed sanctions on Hengli Petrochemical, alleging that it had purchased billions of dollars’ worth of Iranian oil.
On Friday, the treasury also warned that any shippers paying fees to Iran for passing through the Strait of Hormuz, including charitable contributions to entities such as the Iranian Red Crescent Society, could face punitive sanctions.
War in Iran
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, targeting its leadership and triggering a new conflict in the Middle East.
Iran has been responding with a retaliatory counterattack in Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi as a retaliatory move, while launching barrages of missiles and drones toward Israel.
The conflict has spread across the Middle East, leaving thousands dead, triggering unprecedented disruptions to energy supplies especially after the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The adversaries remain locked in a standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran tightens its control over maritime traffic while the United States continues to enforce a blockade on Iranian ports.
As part of its broader proposals to end the war, Iran has suggested the imposition of transit fees or tolls on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Chinese Commerce Ministry described U.S. sanctions as a violation to “international law and the basic norms of international relations.”
In response, the ministry had imposed an injunction.
“The injunction stipulates that the United States cannot recognize, implement, or comply with the sanctions imposed on the aforementioned five Chinese companies,” the ministry added.
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