China urged the United States not to interfere with its cooperation with Iran after Washington launched “Operation Economic Outcast,” a campaign intended to isolate Tehran from the global financial system. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said China’s relationship with Iran complies with international law and warned that unilateral sanctions and maximum pressure could escalate the conflict, create spillover risks and damage the global economic and financial order. He called for de-escalation, dialogue and negotiations, while saying China would take necessary measures to protect its rights and interests. China is one of Iran’s largest oil importers, and bilateral trade exceeded $41 billion last year under a comprehensive strategic partnership focused mainly on economic ties and discounted energy imports. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington aims to sever Iran’s economic lifelines and end, rather than manage, the Iranian threat. On China, Bessent said the US favored quiet diplomacy and was currently “level setting” expectations with Beijing.