U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday imposed sanctions on a third Chinese independent - or "teapot" - oil refinery, and port terminal operators in China for purchases of Iranian oil.
The U.S. Treasury designated the Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group Co refinery and three port terminal operators in China © Mena Today
U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday imposed sanctions on a third Chinese independent - or "teapot" - oil refinery, and port terminal operators in China for purchases of Iranian oil.
The U.S. Treasury designated the Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group Co refinery and three port terminal operators in China.
It was the latest independent Chinese refinery targeted by the Trump administration as it steps up efforts to cut off Iran's export revenue and seeks to pressure Tehran into a deal to curb its nuclear program.
"So long as Iran attempts to generate oil revenues to fund its destabilizing activities, the United States will hold both Iran and all its partners in sanctions evasion accountable," the U.S. Treasury said in a statement.
Previous sanctions imposed on two small Chinese refiners for buying Iranian oil have created difficulties in receiving oil, leading them to halt purchases of crude and sell product under other names, sources familiar with the matter said.
Those sanctions have also begun to deter other, larger independent Chinese refiners from buying Iranian crude, three of the sources said.
Reporting by Timothy Gardner and Ishmail Shakil
U.S. President Donald Trump said talks with Iran will happen on Monday but declined to set a deadline for an agreement after earlier saying he had called off an imminent attack in hopes of quickly reaching a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resolve the impasse over Tehran's nuclear capabilities.
Iran executed two of its citizens on Monday on charges of espionage and cooperation with Israel, Iranian state media reported, amid an increase in executions for offences relating to national security.
President Donald Trump said late on Saturday the U.S. would hold off on a fresh attack on Iran as long as a deal could be reached quickly to halt Iran's nuclear ambitions and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
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