China's expanding energy ties with Iran and implications for U.S. sanctions

China's expanding energy ties with Iran and implications for U.S. sanctions The passage outlines historical and ongoing Sino‑Iran energy cooperation, but provides no new, verifiable specifics such as names, dates, or financial transactions that could be directly pursued. It repeats known background and offers general geopolitical analysis, limiting its investigative utility. Key insights: China became Iran's largest trading partner in 2007 and aims for $100 bn annual trade by 2016.; Chinese firms are involved in developing Iran's Azadegan, Yadavaran, and South Pars oil and gas fields.; China reportedly pays Iran with rice, medical/engineering supplies, cash, and a supertanker for oil.