Since the end of September, Iran has reportedly received from China 2000 tons of sodium perchlorate, a missile fuel precursor, enough for roughly 500 ballistic missiles, CNN reported on Wednesday. In February, CNN reported the shipment of 1,000 tons of sodium perchlorate from China to Iran.

The discounts on Iranian oil offered to China have hit their widest in more than a year, as tightening sanctions on Russia and Iran squeeze buying from independent refiners already constrained by a shortage of crude import quotas,

China has banned dealings by Chinese companies with five subsidiaries of South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean.

The U.S. must take strong action to hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable for its persecution of religious minorities, as evidenced by the recent crackdown on Christians in China.

Iran appears to be stepping up the rebuilding of its ballistic missile program, despite the reintroduction last month of United Nations sanctions that ban arms sales to the country and ballistic missile activity.

World shares have retreated and U.S. futures advanced after U.S. stocks fell back following President Donald Trump's meeting with China’s leader, Xi Jinping

Quicker negotiations between the two countries ensued after China’s crackdown on rare earths exports, expert says.