China’s purchase of more than 80% of Iranian oil shipments could limit the effectiveness of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s "Operation Economic Outcast," which seeks to isolate Iran from its remaining economic partners. Beijing is Iran’s biggest trading partner and has defended its cooperation as lawful, while the Trump administration has avoided specifying how it would target major Chinese entities before President Donald Trump hosts Chinese leader Xi Jinping next month. Analysts say China may offer limited concessions, such as reducing Iranian oil imports, but is unlikely to sever ties with Tehran. The Treasury Department has penalized nearly 60 Iran-linked entities, including targets in mainland China and Hong Kong, while so far refraining from sanctions on major Chinese businesses or banks connected to the US financial system.