China ready to defend its rights to purchase Iranian oil

China said it would take necessary measures to protect the legitimate rights of Chinese companies and citizens after the United States imposed sanctions linked to Iran’s oil trade.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun urged Washington to stop using sanctions, saying China would safeguard its energy security, ChinaDaily reported.

Guo criticized the U.S. for “wrongful measures of resorting to sanctions” after Washington imposed sanctions on a Chinese refinery and other entities for buying Iranian oil.

According to him, normal cooperation with Iran under international law is legitimate.

The latest sanctions targeted about 100 individuals, entities and vessels, including a Chinese independent refinery and terminal, accused of facilitating Iran’s oil and petrochemical exports.