Trump, Netanyahu agreed US should press Iran to cut oil sales to China, Axios reports

President Donald Trump and ​Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed at a White House meeting on Wednesday that the U.S. would work ‌to reduce ⁠Iran's oil ⁠exports to China, Axios reported, citing two U.S. ​officials briefed on the issue.

"We agreed that we will ​go full force with maximum pressure against Iran, for example, regarding Iranian oil sales to China," ​Axios reported on Saturday, ⁠quoting a ‌senior U.S. official.

Asked about the report, ​China's ​foreign ministry said on Sunday that "normal cooperation ⁠between countries conducted within the framework of ​international law is reasonable and legitimate, and ​should be respected and protected."


China accounts for more than 80% of Iran's oil exports. Any reduction in that trade would mean lower oil revenue for Iran.

U.S. ‌and Iranian diplomats held talks on Iran's nuclear programme through Omani mediators last week in an effort ⁠to revive diplomacy, after the U.S. president positioned a naval flotilla in the region as the American military prepares for the possibility of sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran.