Included in Friday’s sanctions is Hengli Petrochemical’s facility in the port city of Dalian, which has a processing capacity of roughly 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day, making it one of the biggest independent refineries in China.

OFAC sanctioned a major Chinese oil refinery and dozens of Iran-linked shadow fleet vessels in an escalation of the maximum pressure campaign on Tehran.

Since Ukraine attacked the refinery in Tuapse, starting a huge fire, residents have reported drops of dark, oily toxins falling from the sky.

Senator John Hoeven says America produces about 14 million barrels per day. But due to refining limitations here, like existing infrastructure, pipeline capacity and the type of oil needed, we need to import oil from around the world.

A US move to sanction one of China’s largest private refiners over ties to Iran will hurt a vast and already embattled petrochemicals sector — but the collateral damage will extend far beyond oil.