US Sanctions Chinese Refinery and 40 Tankers Over Iran Oil Before Trump Xi Talks

Tankers targeted as Strait of Hormuz tension escalates

Weeks ahead of Trump’s planned meeting with Xi Jinping, the US administration sanctioned China’s Hengli Petrochemical refinery and about 40 shipping firms and tankers tied to transporting Iranian oil. The action, reported by AP, coincides with intensified pressure in the region, including a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, signaling a hard line on Iran-linked trade.