Bessent Says 19 G-20 Allies Back Iran Squeeze as China Withholds Support
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 2
Bessent Says 19 G-20 Allies Back Iran Squeeze as China Withholds Support
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 2
Summary
Bessent said U.S. efforts to “economically asphyxiate” Iran drew a “great show of support” at the G-20, with many allies offering to do “whatever is necessary,” including intelligence sharing.
China remains the key uncertainty because it is Iran’s biggest oil buyer; Bessent called talks with Chinese officials productive but said no specific agreement was reached on sanctions or the Strait of Hormuz.
Bessent argued the plan can still bite even without Beijing’s full cooperation, saying Iran’s yuan payments can be blocked from conversion into dollars in the Persian Gulf region.
The European Union, Britain and the United Arab Emirates have voiced support for constraining Iran, though the EU stopped short of promising tougher sanctions beyond measures already in place.
The Iran push unfolded against wider G-20 strains: renewed fighting has lifted energy prices and inflation fears, and China also refused to join a final statement backed by the other 19 members on global trade imbalances.