US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said China's purchases of Iranian oil have dropped sharply after US sanctions targeted independent Chinese refineries, according to a Fox Business Network interview on Tuesday.
Bessent said sanctions on China's private teapot refiners curbed Iranian crude imports, while China's overall crude purchases have fallen about 40% in recent months because of prices and ample strategic reserves, increasing pressure on Iran.
The US Department of the Treasury did not immediately reply to' request for comment.
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