Part 13/16:
Adding to the strain, the US has intensified sanctions against entities linked to Iran’s oil trade, notably targeting China’s Kong Lee Petrochemical. The US accuses the Chinese firm of purchasing Iranian crude, supporting Iran’s military and strategic endeavors. The US imposes secondary sanctions on over 40 shipping firms, aiming to disrupt Iran's shadow fleet—vessels engaged in covert oil transfers that rebrand Iranian crude for global markets, especially benefiting China.