00:00Meanwhile, China says it will protect its interests
00:03after Washington announced new measures to increase economic pressure on Iran.
00:07Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said
00:10Beijing strongly opposed what it called illegal unilateral sanctions.
00:14China's cooperation with Iran, he added, complies with international law
00:18and should not be interfered with by other countries.
00:21Iran has faced U.S. sanctions for decades
00:24but has managed to maintain oil exports through complex financial networks.
00:28Most of that oil has gone to China
00:30leaving Beijing particularly exposed to any new measures targeting Iran's energy trade.
