Leak Shows Iran Using Chinese Oil Terminals to Evade Sanctions

· Oil & Gas · Iran · China

Iran has been using oil terminals and storage facilities in China to ship its oil to its biggest buyer and to keep sanctioned tankers operating despite U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil exports, Iran International reported on Monday, citing top-level confidential correspondence of former Iranian leaders. The report names Ali Shamkhani in connection with the correspondence. The leak points to a system in which Chinese terminals and storage help Iran sustain flows to its largest customer while working around restrictions on its tanker fleet. The disclosure comes as Washington keeps up pressure on Iranian crude exports, and it could draw more scrutiny to Chinese ports and to the shipping networks that carry the barrels.

Why it matters：If confirmed, the arrangement shows how sanctioned crude still reaches world markets through third-country infrastructure, a mechanism that shapes enforcement priorities for governments and compliance risk for ports, shippers and refiners.

Key points

  • Iran International cited confidential correspondence of former Iranian leaders.
  • Chinese terminals and storage reportedly help Iran ship oil to its biggest buyer.
  • The report names Ali Shamkhani in connection with the correspondence.

Sources (original reporting)

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