Trump And Netanyahu Agreed US Should Increase Pressure On Iran Over Oil Exports To China: Report

Last Updated:February 15, 2026, 12:16 IST

The understanding was reached during talks at the White House earlier this week, with discussions centring on curbing Tehran’s ability to sell crude to Beijing.

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have agreed that Washington should intensify economic pressure on Iran, particularly by targeting its oil exports to China, according to a media report.

The understanding was reached during talks at the White House earlier this week, with discussions centring on curbing Tehran’s ability to sell crude to Beijing, Axios reported, citing two US officials familiar with the matter.

“We agreed that we will go full force with maximum pressure against Iran, for example, regarding Iranian oil sales to China," one official was quoted as saying.

China is the largest buyer of Iranian oil, purchasing more than 80 per cent of Iran’s seaborne crude exports, according to 2025 estimates from analytics firm Kpler.

Due to US sanctions aimed at cutting off funding for Iran’s nuclear programme, Tehran has limited access to global energy markets.

Data cited in the report shows China imported an average of about 1.38 million barrels per day of Iranian oil last year, accounting for roughly 13 per cent of its total seaborne crude imports.

Beijing, however, opposes unilateral sanctions and maintains that its trade with Iran is legal.

Oil shipments from Iran to China are often routed through third countries and labelled as originating elsewhere, including Malaysia and Indonesia, according to Reuters.

Chinese customs data has shown no official Iranian oil imports since mid-2022.

US officials believe that increasing pressure on Iran’s oil exports to China could force Tehran to soften its stance in ongoing and future negotiations over its nuclear programme.

According to the report, the renewed “maximum pressure" campaign will operate alongside diplomatic efforts with Iran and a continued US military build-up in the Middle East, in case talks fail to deliver results.

An executive order signed by Trump earlier this month authorises tougher economic measures against Iran. Under the order, the US secretaries of state and commerce can recommend tariffs of up to 25 per cent on countries that continue trading with Tehran.

Iran and the United States are expected to hold a second round of talks next week on Tehran’s nuclear programme, Switzerland’s foreign ministry said on Saturday.

Following the first round, Trump warned that failure to reach an agreement would have “very traumatic" consequences for Iran.

Trump has repeatedly said he is prepared to use military force to compel Iran to accept restrictions on its nuclear activities, while Tehran has warned it would retaliate if attacked.

Tensions have further escalated after Trump announced the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford to the Middle East, adding to US naval and air assets already in the region.

Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes. However, Iranian officials have increasingly suggested the country could move closer to developing a nuclear weapon.

Before the June conflict, Iran had enriched uranium to 60 per cent purity, a short technical step from weapons-grade levels.

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