China will not comply with US sanctions against five firms targeted for purchasing Iranian oil, Beijing's commerce ministry said on Saturday.

Axar.az informs, citing CNA, 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".