Iran Ships Millions of Oil Barrels to China via Strait of Hormuz

Iran has continued exporting crude oil to China through the Strait of Hormuz despite the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which has disrupted energy flows through the strategic maritime chokepoint.

Market data indicate that Tehran recently shipped around 2 million barrels of crude oil through the strait to Chinese buyers. Tanker traffic in the region has slowed significantly as shipping companies face rising security risks and higher war‑risk insurance premiums, prompting some vessels to delay or reroute their voyages.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most critical energy corridors in the world, handling roughly 20 million barrels of oil and petroleum products per day. That volume represents about one‑fifth of global oil consumption, with a large share of shipments destined for Asian economies such as China, India, Japan and South Korea.

Analysts say Iran’s continued shipments highlight its efforts to maintain revenue flows and sustain energy trade with China, its largest crude oil customer. However, escalating military tensions and threats to tanker safety are expected to keep volatility elevated across global oil markets.