🇨🇳 China Takes Nearly 90% of Iran’s Oil

Iran Is Now the Biggest Risk for Oil Markets🚨

Nearly 89% of Iran’s crude exports were destined for China, up from just 25% in 2017 a dramatic shift driven by sanctions, discount pricing, and China’s voracious energy demand.

Other buyers represent a small minority of Iran’s flows, highlighting how concentrated Iranian oil ties are to China.

But the optics are shifting quickly in early 2026:

Oil markets are reacting to Iran’s political instability.

• Prices have climbed to multi week highs as anti government protests escalate across Iran, raising real fears of supply shocks.

• #Iran unrest has added a $3-4/barrel geopolitical risk premium as traders price in possible export disruptions.

• The US administration has even threatened 25% #tariffs on countries trading with Iran, underscoring the political dimension of energy markets right now.

• Iran’s crude oil stored at sea has hit record highs as buyers hesitate amid geopolitical tension and sanctions risks.

⚠️Iran is still a major #OPEC producer with exports that support global crude flows especially into China’s independent refiners.

The heavy reliance on one buyer creates concentration risk on both sides:

• #China is exposed to Iranian supply disruption.
• Iran’s economy is linked to discounted crude flows that circumvent sanctions.

The chart shows where Iranian oil goes.

Today’s headlines show why that matters for China’s energy security, for global markets, and for the geopolitical balance of oil flows in 2026.

#oott