Tornado Alley (PROG)

[StephanieVanbryce]

{ "The Chinese side always opposes one country unilaterally imposing sanctions against another according to domestic law. Furthermore it does not accept the unilateral imposition of those sanctions on a third country," the ministry said in a brief statement Saturday.

Beyond the rhetoric, Beijing has taken a two-pronged approach to the U.S. demands, insisting that China has the right to import oil from Iran or any other country while quietly reducing imports of Iranian oil. Though the government has not explained the reductions, oil traders and industry executives have said it may stem more from a pricing dispute with Iran than as a response to U.S. pressure.

Behind the scenes, Washington has repeatedly encouraged Beijing to seek supplies elsewhere, and Saudi Arabia offered to fill a shortfall when Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited Gulf countries early this year. } .. that's from your NPR link.

China is doing exactly what we want them to do. REDUCE their imports of oil from Iran. ....we can guess about the Why, but EITHER way gives us an answer. IF it stems from a pricing dispute, well then, we know that China and Iran are simply not that much in lockstep ...as they can STILL fight about the prices that Iran is charging them ... AND that's shows a complete lack of understanding on China's part ... OF course they KNOW the situation Iran is in .. and it sounds like they are going to TAKE ADVANTAGE of it...IF .........it is a "pricing dispute"

To be CLEAR. For whatever reasons, according to your article, China is and has reduced its oil imports from Iran. And in every article that has been posted you will find that is exactly what the US has been asking for from ALL countries ...a reduction in oil imports, and yes, those countries that have complied, ENOUGH, have been and/or will be exempted from penalties.

Barack Obama's latest sanctions against Iran designed to cut its oil exports

President's move to punish Iran is designed to pressure nation into abandoning nuclear program and keep Israel at bay

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/30/iran-sanction-obama-israel-banks