China Blocks U.S. Sanctions on Five 'Teapot' Refineries
China has announced an injunction to block U.S. sanctions on five Chinese refineries accused of importing Iranian oil. The U.S. sanctions, announced by the Department of the Treasury, aim to bar these refineries from the U.S. financial system and penalize entities doing business with them. China's Ministry of Commerce argues that the sanctions violate international law and has issued a prohibition order against recognizing or complying with them. The refineries, known as 'teapot' refineries, operate independently and are crucial to China's oil supply, particularly from sanctioned countries like Iran. This move reflects China's opposition to unilateral sanctions lacking UN authorization. 
