Iran is closely coordinating with China and Russia through recent trilateral consultations to counter Europe's attempts to invoke the United Nations ' "snapback" sanctions, a spokesperson has said.

U .S. and Chinese officials may be able to settle many of their differences to reach a trade deal and avert punishing tariffs, but they remain far apart on one issue: the U.S. demand that China stop purchasing oil from Iran and Russia.

China’s imports of Iranian crude contracted by almost a third last month, in part due to subdued demand from private refiners after they saw higher shipments in June.