The US hope to gain Chinese support for sanctions on Iran by urging Arab states to increase their oil exports to China, the Wall Street Journal reported. President Barack Obama hopes that if Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates increase their oil exports to China, Beijing will be willing to distance itself from Tehran both politically and economically. The UAE recently agreed to boost exports to China to 200,000 barrels per day, while sources in Saudi Arabia claim that the kingdom is willing to prepared to export more oil to China. The US is aiming to drum up support for punishing Iran over its nuclear program. President Obama said that Beijing’s backing is crucial for sanctions to be effective.
Categories