China blocks US sanctions on five refineries accused of buying Iranian oil

Published May 2, 2026 10:00pm ET | Updated May 4, 2026 11:55am ET



China’s Ministry of Commerce blocked sanctions against five refineries accused by the Treasury Department of purchasing Iranian oil on Saturday, according to state media.

The Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the Hengli Petrochemical Refinery on April 24, while the other four refineries had sanctions imposed on them last year, according to Reuters. 

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