China said US-imposed sanctions and economic pressure would not help resolve conflict in the Middle East. The statement came after Washington called on China and other countries to join efforts to isolate Iran’s economy. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded on Friday to a question about threats by US President Donald Trump.

Lin said sanctions and pressure would not assist in solving the problem, and urged all relevant parties to act responsibly. He called for the issue to be addressed through political and diplomatic means. The United States says its economic campaign will bring about the collapse of Iran’s ruling system.

Tehran described the threats as economic terrorism and said they were bound to fail. Asked whether Washington would pressure Beijing to join the campaign, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC that some discussions would be better held privately, while also calling on Beijing to join the programme. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said China opposes unilateral sanctions it considers illegal, lacking a basis in international law and not approved by the UN Security Council.