Report: Trump, Netanyahu Plan to Press Iran to Cut Oil Sales to China

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed at a White House meeting on Wednesday that the U.S. would work to reduce Iran's oil exports to China, Axios reported, citing two U.S. officials briefed on the issue.

 "We agreed that we will go full force with maximum pressure against Iran, for example, regarding Iranian oil sales to China," Axios reported on Saturday, quoting a senior U.S. official.

Asked about the report, China's foreign ministry said on Sunday that "normal cooperation between countries conducted within the framework of international law is reasonable and legitimate, and should be respected and protected."

China accounts for more than 80% of Iran's oil exports. Any reduction in that trade would mean lower oil revenue for Iran.

U.S. and Iranian diplomats held talks on Iran's nuclear program through Omani mediators last week in an effort to revive diplomacy, after the U.S. president positioned a naval flotilla in the region as the American military prepares for the possibility of sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran. 

The U.S. military is preparing for the possibility of weeks-long operations against Iran if Trump orders an attack, two U.S. officials told Reuters, signaling the potential for a broader conflict than in previous confrontations between the two countries.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the planning, said the preparations come as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran continue.

U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to meet Iranian officials Tuesday in Geneva, with Oman serving as mediator. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday that while Trump prefers a negotiated agreement with Tehran, reaching one would be difficult.

The Pentagon said Friday it is sending an additional aircraft carrier to the Middle East, adding thousands of troops along with fighter aircraft, guided-missile destroyers and other assets capable of conducting and defending against attacks.

Speaking Friday after a military event at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Trump raised the possibility of political change in Iran, saying it “seems like that would be the best thing that could happen.” He did not specify who he believed should lead the country.

Trump has previously expressed skepticism about deploying ground troops to Iran, saying last year that “the last thing you want to do is ground forces.” The forces currently positioned in the region indicate options centered on air and naval operations.

Asked about preparations for a potentially sustained campaign, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said, “President Trump has all options on the table with regard to Iran.”

“He listens to a variety of perspectives on any given issue, but makes the final decision based on what is best for our country and national security,” Kelly said.

The Pentagon declined to comment.

The United States deployed two aircraft carriers to the region last year when it carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. A June operation known as “Midnight Hammer” involved U.S. stealth bombers flying from the United States to strike nuclear facilities in Iran. Tehran responded with a limited retaliatory strike on a U.S. base in Qatar.

The current planning is more complex, the officials said. In a sustained campaign, the United States could target Iranian state and security facilities in addition to nuclear infrastructure, one official said, declining to provide further details.

Military analysts say such an operation would carry significant risks for U.S. forces, given Iran’s missile capabilities and the potential for retaliatory strikes that could expand into a broader regional conflict. One official said the United States expects Iran would respond, potentially leading to ongoing exchanges.

The White House and Pentagon did not respond to questions about the risks of retaliation or a wider conflict.

Trump has repeatedly threatened military action over Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. On Thursday, he said the alternative to a diplomatic solution would “be very traumatic.”

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has said it would target U.S. military bases in the region if Iran were attacked. The United States maintains bases in Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey.

Iran has said it is willing to discuss limits on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief but has ruled out negotiations over its missile program.

On Saturday, Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi said U.S. military intervention could hasten political change in Iran and urged Washington not to prolong nuclear negotiations. Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s former shah, told Reuters he believes the Iranian government is weakening and that an attack could accelerate its collapse.