Trump and Netanyahu Seal Pact to Strangle Iran’s Oil Lifeline to China Amid War Fears
In a decisive escalation of geopolitical tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have formalized a high-stakes strategy to sever Iran’s economic arteries, specifically targeting the clandestine oil trade between Tehran and Beijing. The agreement, forged during a White House meeting this week, marks a significant intensification of the “maximum pressure” campaign, leveraging new executive powers to penalize China while simultaneously preparing for potential military fallout.
Economic Siege and the China Connection
At the heart of this strategy is a targeted assault on Iran’s crude oil exports, over 80% of which are currently purchased by Chinese refineries. Reports indicate that President Trump is prepared to utilize a recently signed executive order that authorizes tariffs of up to 25% on nations facilitating trade with the Islamic Republic. By threatening Beijing’s economic interests, Washington and Jerusalem aim to force a drastic reduction in Iranian revenue, which has sustained Tehran’s economy despite years of isolation.
“We agreed that we will go full force with maximum pressure against Iran, for example, regarding Iranian oil sales to China,” a senior U.S. official confirmed. The administration is betting that choking off this revenue stream will alter Tehran’s calculus ahead of upcoming indirect nuclear negotiations slated for Geneva.
Strategic Divergence: Diplomacy vs. Force
While the two leaders present a united front on economic coercion, deep strategic rifts remain regarding the endgame.
The Trump Doctrine: President Trump reportedly views the economic stranglehold as leverage to secure a “better deal,” telling officials, “We’ll see if it’s possible—let’s give it a shot.” His administration is pursuing a dual-track approach: ramped-up sanctions paralleled by indirect diplomacy via Omani mediators.
The Netanyahu Doctrine: In contrast, Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed profound skepticism during the private sessions, arguing that a reliable diplomatic agreement with the current Iranian regime is “impossible.” The Israeli premier is pushing for the pressure campaign to serve as a prelude to dismantling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, rather than a bargaining chip.
Regional Military Buildup
To underscore the seriousness of these economic threats, the U.S. is orchestrating a significant military buildup in the region. This “contingency planning” is designed to keep a viable strike option on the table should diplomacy collapse. Hardliners in Tehran have already responded to the brewing escalation with renewed threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies, raising the specter of a broader conflict.
International Pushback and Objections
The strategy faces immediate and formidable opposition.
Beijing’s Defiance: China has preemptively rejected the legitimacy of “long-arm jurisdiction,” asserting that its energy cooperation with Iran is lawful under international norms. The imposition of new tariffs could trigger retaliatory trade measures from Beijing, complicating an already fragile global economic outlook.
Skeptical Allies: European diplomats have privately voiced concerns that this approach may backfire, potentially pushing Iran to sprint toward a nuclear breakout capability rather than the negotiating table.
Tehran’s Stance: Iranian officials remain defiant, dismissing the new sanctions as “economic terrorism” and vowing to bypass restrictions through their “resistance economy.”
Background Context
This renewed offensive builds upon the original “maximum pressure” campaign initiated during Trump’s previous term, which saw the U.S. withdraw from the 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal. Since then, Iran has significantly advanced its nuclear program, enriching uranium to near-weapons grade. The current initiative represents a high-risk gamble: that the threat of economic collapse will succeed where previous sanctions failed, forcing Tehran to concede on not just nuclear issues, but also its ballistic missile program and regional proxy support—demands Iran has historically rejected as non-negotiable.
aljazeera.com
iranintl.com
turkiyetoday.com
timesofisrael.com
hindustantimes.com
middleeastmonitor.com
indiatimes.com
chinaglobalsouth.com
moderndiplomacy.eu
