Under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the Iran nuclear deal agreed in 2015, sanctions can be reimposed on Iran's military and trade sectors—targeting key figures with travel bans and assets freezes—if Tehran is found to have violated the JCPOA. Tehran says the mechanism lacks legal standing.

Chinese officials may be able to settle many of their differences to reach a trade deal and avert punishing tariffs, but they remain far apart on one issue: the U.S. demand that China stop purchasing oil from Iran and Russia.

Tensions rise over energy in high-stakes US-China trade talks Trade talks between the United States and China have hit a serious roadblock. The main point of tension is China’s decision to keep buying oil from Iran and Russia.