Tue Jun 24 17:11:45 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

In a surprising move, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that China can continue purchasing oil from Iran, despite previous sanctions aimed at curbing this trade. This announcement provides a vital economic lifeline for Iran, which is struggling under international sanctions. China is the primary buyer of Iranian oil, accounting for over 90% of its exports. The decision comes amid heightened tensions in the region, including recent U.S. bombing strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, which has diminished China’s regional influence. While the U.S. previously imposed sanctions on Iranian oil sales to China, Trump’s recent statement suggests a shift in policy.

**News Article:**

**Trump Greenlights Continued Chinese Purchase of Iranian Oil Amid Regional Tensions**

*Aboard Air Force One, June 24, 2025 (The Hindu) -* Former U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Tuesday that China would be permitted to continue purchasing oil from Iran, a move that provides crucial economic relief for Tehran, which is grappling with crippling international sanctions.

“China can now continue to purchase Oil from Iran. Hopefully, they will be purchasing plenty from the U.S., also,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform while en route to a NATO summit in The Hague.

China’s position as the dominant buyer of Iranian oil is paramount to Iran’s economy, with Beijing accounting for over 90% of Iran’s oil exports, according to analysis firm Kpler. Imports reached 1.3 million barrels a day in April, though that was down from a five-month high in March.

The announcement comes against a backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East. The U.S. recently launched bombing strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, prompting condemnation from China, which has urged de-escalation and a political solution in the region. Furthermore, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has significantly reduced China’s leverage in the area, analysts say.

While Trump’s administration previously imposed sanctions on Iranian oil sales to China, this recent statement signals a possible shift in policy, raising questions about the U.S.’s strategy in the region. The decision has not been immediately explained by the United States government.

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