
Bolton told US television network NewsNation that the blockade had been “very effective in stopping Iran from exporting oil and other commodities,” adding: “That’s a very good thing. We should have had it on from the beginning of the war.”
He added that China remained the main challenge to Washington’s pressure campaign because it has long been a major buyer of Iranian oil and, he claimed, has helped Iran move financial assets through its banking system.
“If this is really serious, the main enforcement effort over countries that are helping to keep Iran afloat would be China,” he said, adding that Washington could sanction Chinese banks and government entities involved in purchasing Iranian oil, reports AL Jazeera.
“I’m all for additional financial leverage against Iran. I think the main thing, though, is the blockade. If that stays in place, that’s a huge development, and one that I think will have enormous economic effect. Everything else is icing on the cake,” he added.