U.S. lawmakers and national security experts are pressuring President Donald Trump to take tougher actions against Chinese entities accused of assisting Iran in satellite intelligence, weapon components, and oil revenue. These requests have intensified following Xi Jinping's meeting with Trump on September 24 at the White House.
Criticism of the U.S. President
Roger Wicker, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, stated on the day of Xi Jinping's arrival at the U.S. Senate: "This summer, it was reported in all media that China provided Iran with satellite imagery information, which led to the deaths of American forces." He has called on Trump to address this issue. Additionally, Jeanne Shaheen, a Democratic senator from New Hampshire, and 18 other Democratic senators accused Trump of neglecting his responsibilities towards Xi Jinping.
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China-Iran Relations
As the largest buyer of Iranian oil, China holds significant economic influence over Tehran. According to U.S. Treasury statistics, 90% of Iran's oil exports go to China, bringing billions of dollars to Tehran. Shaheen also noted that part of this trade is conducted through shadow fleets, shell companies, and Chinese refineries.
However, some experts believe that the issue goes beyond China-Iran relations and points to broader strategic challenges. Marie Kissel, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, emphasized that Washington must hold Chinese entities accountable that are involved in supporting Iran. She stated, "If we want China to reduce its support for the Islamic Republic of Iran, we must hold Chinese banks and state-owned enterprises accountable for their actions."
Nevertheless, China has once again denied allegations of military or intelligence support for Iran. Goodat Bahgat, a professor of national security affairs, warned about the credibility of these claims, stating: "Both China and Iran have not confirmed that they have shared satellite intelligence or weapon components."
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