$2.5 billion and secret trade: Trump's leverage that could deliver a death blow to Iran | Dan Perry

Dan Perry analyzes Trump's strategy toward Iran: China purchases about 90% of Iranian oil exports, providing Tehran with economic oxygen to survive sanctions. Trump can offer Beijing a gradual opening to investments in Venezuela's oil in exchange for reducing Iranian oil purchases. The meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping on September 24 is an opportunity to cut off Iran's financial lifeline.

Dan Perry analyzes Trump's strategy toward Iran ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 24. The central argument: China purchases about 90% of Iranian oil exports, providing Tehran with economic oxygen that allows it to survive sanctions, continue building a bomb, spread terror, and suppress its citizens. Available stockpiles outside the blockade have dropped from 90 million barrels to about 29 million, according to the Wall Street Journal. Trump can offer Beijing a gradual and conditional opening to investments in Venezuela's oil sector in exchange for verified reductions in Iranian oil purchases. The deal would be reversible: if China resumes purchasing Iranian oil above the quota, the licenses would expire. China already has experience in Venezuela, with billions of dollars in loans. The licenses would be limited to specific companies, ownership stakes, and project types, excluding ports, communications, and security infrastructure. The Taiwan issue would remain outside the deal. The analysis notes three components: cessation of new Iranian oil purchases, cessation of Iranian arms purchases, and Chinese assistance in stabilizing the Middle East.