China has issued an injunction to block US sanctions against five Chinese refiners accused of importing Iranian oil. The sanctions, announced by the US Department of the Treasury late last month, bar the companies from the US financial system and aim to penalise anyone doing business with the firms. The Ministry of Commerce accused the sanctions of violating international law and attempting to restrict business between Chinese enterprises and third countries. The Commerce Ministry issued a "prohibition order" stating that the sanctions "should not be recognized, enforced" to protect national sovereignty, security, and development interests.