China said on Tuesday that it firmly opposed unilateral sanctions imposed without UN authorization after the US escalated measures against Iran, with Beijing warning such actions amounted to economic warfare and urging dialogue.

Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a routine press briefing in Beijing in response to a question about US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s unveiling of a new round of sanctions targeting Iran's "economic asphyxiation."

"China has on multiple occasions made clear its firm opposition to illegal unilateral sanctions that lack basis in international law and have not been authorized by the UN Security Council," Lin said. "Economic warfare and maximum pressure do nothing to resolve issues.

"They will only further fuel conflicts, trigger risk spillovers, disrupt global economic and financial order, and harm the legitimate rights and interests of other countries."

The pressing priority was to "cool the situation" and return to the track of dialogue and negotiation as soon as possible, he said.

"China will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its own rights and interest," the ministry spokesperson said.