Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Clinton says India, China could help Trump end Iran crisis
Hillary Clinton said China and India might help the United States calm its conflict with Iran.
Both countries buy energy from Iran and have important trade relationships with it.
Clinton said this gives them influence with Iran.
She suggested the United States could use sanctions against companies that trade with Iran to encourage China to help.
One goal would be reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Donald Trump’s administration is trying to put stronger economic pressure on Iran.
China said it disagrees with these one-sided sanctions.
China also said it would protect its rights and interests.
Hillary Clinton said India and China could help Donald Trump pursue diplomacy with Iran.
She cited their deep economic and energy ties with Tehran as potential leverage.
Clinton suggested secondary sanctions could pressure China to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The Trump administration began an intensified sanctions campaign targeting Iran’s economy and global trade.
China rejected the sanctions and said it would take necessary measures to protect its interests.
- Who
- Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, China, India, and Iran.
- What
- Clinton said China and India could help find a diplomatic solution to the Iran crisis, while China rejected new United States sanctions.
- When
- Tuesday, August 25.
- Where
- The remarks were made during a conversation hosted by the Hamptons Institute; the wider dispute concerns Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.
- Why
- Clinton said China and India’s energy trade and economic ties with Iran could provide leverage to encourage de-escalation.
Supporters of U.S. pressure
Opponents of unilateral sanctions
Sanctions as diplomatic leverage
Supporters of U.S. pressure
The Trump administration presented sweeping secondary sanctions as a way to restrict Iran’s access to global trade and pressure Tehran.
Opponents of unilateral sanctions
China rejected unilateral sanctions and said it would protect its rights and interests.
China’s possible role
Supporters of U.S. pressure
Clinton argued that China’s dependence on Iranian energy and economic relationship with Tehran could make Beijing useful in reducing escalation.
Opponents of unilateral sanctions
China’s stated opposition to the sanctions indicates that it does not accept the United States’ approach to pressuring Iran.
Assessment of Iran
Supporters of U.S. pressure
The sanctions campaign sought to increase pressure on Iran’s economy and international trade.
Opponents of unilateral sanctions
Clinton said the United States had underestimated the resilience of Iran’s political and military establishment.
- Proposed mediators
- Hillary Clinton identified China and India as potentially key to a diplomatic solution.
- Economic leverage
- Clinton said both countries buy substantial amounts of oil and gas from Iran.
- United States strategy
- Donald Trump launched an intensified sanctions campaign, including threatened secondary sanctions.
- Proposed objective
- Clinton suggested pressure on China could encourage it to help persuade Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
- China’s position
- China opposed unilateral United States sanctions and said it would take necessary measures to protect its interests.
- China-Iran trade
- The article describes China as Iran’s biggest trading partner and largest oil customer.
- Reported oil share
- China was reported to account for about 90% of Iranian oil exports.