China will not comply with US sanctions against five firms targeted for purchasing Iranian oil, Beijing’s commerce ministry says, according to AFP.

China is a key customer for Iranian oil, mainly through independent “teapot” refineries that rely on discounted crude from the Islamic republic. The United States, seeking to choke off revenue to Tehran, has ramped up sanctions on such refineries.

The commerce ministry’s injunction, relating to sanctions announced separately since last year, states that the US measures “shall not be recognised, implemented, or complied with”.

The sanctions “improperly prohibit or restrict Chinese enterprises from conducting normal economic, trade and related activities with third countries… and violate international law and the basic norms governing international relations,” the ministry said in a statement.

“The Chinese government has consistently opposed unilateral sanctions lacking UN authorisation and a basis in international law.”

The injunction applies to three companies in Shandong province: Shandong Jincheng Petrochemical Group, Shandong Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical and Shandong Shengxing Chemical; and two others based elsewhere in China: Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery and Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group.