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The US government has tried many ways to pressure the Iranian regime to end its nuclear arms program. Now, it's targeting a Chinese energy company that does business with Iran.
On Thursday, the US imposed sanctions on China's state-run Zhuhai Zhenrong Corp. It's the largest supplier of refined petroleum products to Iran. The sanctions block the company from doing certain business with the United States.
The Chinese regime expressed outrage over the move. In an article on the Foreign Ministry Website, a spokesperson called it, "totally unreasonable." It comes after US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner failed to convince Chinese leaders to support tougher economic sanctions on Iran.
China is the largest consumer of Iranian oil and has opposed recent efforts to pressure Iran to end its nuclear program.
[Xia Ming, Political Science Professor, City University of New York]:
"It's apparent that China is reluctant to help the US, as China and Iran have an important strategic relationship. They're facing a common enemy, which is the US."
The sanctions prevent Zhenrong from receiving US export licensees, US Export Import Bank financing or loans from US financial institutions of more than $10 million.
The sanctions against Zhenrong may be largely symbolic. The company already operates largely without the aid of US interests. But for China's other state-run oil giants that have billions of dollars invested in the US energy sector, it sends a warning that the US could take further action if Chinese leaders don't act against Iran.