Iran Continues Crude Oil Exports to China Despite Middle East Conflict

Iran has maintained a steady flow of crude oil exports to China despite escalating Middle East tensions and threats to disrupt the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor. Since the outbreak of the conflict on February 28, 2026, Iranian vessels have transported at least 11.7 million barrels of crude oil to China, according to satellite-based tanker tracking data cited by CNBC and independent monitoring firms.

The Strait of Hormuz normally carries about 20 percent of global seaborne oil and LNG supplies, but the ongoing conflict involving US and Israeli military strikes has caused many international tankers to avoid the route due to the threat of attacks and naval mines. Despite this, Iranian tankers, including some that “went dark” by switching off tracking systems, have continued transporting crude to Chinese ports, highlighting Beijing’s reliance on Iranian oil.

READ ALSO:

• Nigerian Midfielder Daniel Daga Jailed in Norway for Sexual Assault
• Quack Doctor Sentenced to Death for Murder in Ekiti
• Galatasaray Beat Liverpool 1–0 in Champions League Last‑16 First Leg

Maritime intelligence firms, such as TankerTrackers and Kpler, reported that multiple tankers have transited the strait in recent weeks. One supertanker flagged in Guyana carrying around 2 million barrels of crude recently passed through the strait en route to China, contributing to the total exports that now exceed 11 million barrels since the conflict began.

China remains Iran’s largest oil buyer, with long-standing contracts and strategic energy ties that have continued despite sanctions and heightened geopolitical risks. While Iranian crude continues flowing to China, other regional exporters, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq, have scaled back shipments due to conflict-related risks.

The sustained flow of Iranian oil through the Strait of Hormuz occurs even as global energy markets face rising freight costs, higher insurance premiums, and supply volatility. Analysts warn that continued disruptions could exacerbate fuel price spikes and threaten energy security for importing nations.

The ongoing exports underscore Iran’s determination to preserve vital revenue streams while China secures diverse crude sources amid global uncertainty, reflecting the resilience of their bilateral energy relationship even during a regional crisis.

Iran Continues Crude Oil Exports to China Despite Middle East Conflict

Iran Rejects Ceasefire as Explosions Rock Tehran

Iran has rejected calls for a ceasefire, even as explosions shook Tehran and tensions rose sharply around the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping lane. The conflict, triggered by US–Israeli strikes on February 28 that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has spread rapidly across the Middle East, disrupting energy markets worldwide.

Iranian parliament speaker Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Tehran has no interest in halting the conflict. “Certainly we aren’t seeking a ceasefire,” he wrote on social media, adding that “the aggressor must be punished and taught a lesson to deter them from attacking Iran again.” The Pentagon confirmed that Tuesday saw its most intense wave of strikes inside Iran since the conflict began, deploying “the most fighters and the most bombers” to date. In response, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards launched fresh missile barrages on Israeli cities and US military targets, while explosions were also reported in Manama, Bahrain.

READ ALSO:

• India, Other Countries Reject Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
• Lagos Court Remands Four Police Officers Over Owode Onirin Market Killings
• UNILAG Faults ASUU Strike, Insists Examinations Will Continue Despite Lecturers’ Protest

The crisis has centred on the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20–25% of the world’s oil exports transit. Iranian attacks on shipping and threats to block the strait have already forced a halt in tanker traffic. US President Donald Trump warned that placing mines in the waterway would provoke military consequences “never seen before,” as US intelligence cited Iran laying explosives in the channel. Energy infrastructure across the Gulf is increasingly at risk. The UAE’s largest refinery at Ruwais shut down temporarily after a drone strike sparked a fire, while Qatari LNG exports have been disrupted, pushing European gas prices higher. Saudi Aramco CEO Amin H. Nasser warned that restoring shipping in the strait is “absolutely critical” to avoid severe global repercussions.

The global economic impact of the conflict is mounting. The United Nations cautioned that continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz could raise the cost of essentials worldwide, particularly fuel and food. In Cairo, residents report that higher fuel prices are already affecting daily life. Analysts warn that the conflict’s ongoing uncertainty could further destabilize global markets, driving oil and gas prices higher while increasing inflationary pressures on essentials.

The human cost of the conflict continues to rise. Hundreds of military and civilian casualties have been reported on both sides, with explosions and missile strikes in Tehran and neighboring regions terrifying residents. Despite efforts by other nations to mediate, neither Iran nor the US shows readiness to de-escalate, leaving the Middle East on edge and international markets bracing for further volatility.

Iran Rejects Ceasefire as Explosions Rock Tehran

Iran Security Chief Fires Warning at Trump as US-Iran Tensions Escalate

Tensions between Iran and the United States have escalated sharply as Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, issued a direct warning to President Donald Trump amid the ongoing Middle East war and heightened regional hostilities. The warning comes after Trump threatened decisive action if Iran disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint for global energy supplies.

In a message posted on X, Larijani said: “The sacrificial nation of Iran doesn’t fear your empty threats. Even those bigger than you couldn’t eliminate Iran. Be careful not to get eliminated yourself.” He dismissed Trump’s rhetoric as hollow and emphasized Iran’s resilience, signaling potential consequences for any aggressive actions targeting the country.

The warning follows Trump’s post declaring that the US would respond twenty times harder if Iran interfered with oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz, describing such moves as a serious threat to global energy security. Analysts say Larijani’s statement reflects Tehran’s strategy of strong public messaging to deter escalation while asserting the country’s influence in the Gulf.

Escalating Military and Regional Context

The rhetoric coincides with heightened military activity in the Gulf. US forces have conducted intense airstrikes on Iranian positions, while Tehran has launched missile and drone attacks targeting US and allied sites. The conflict has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about global oil supply and triggering volatility in international energy markets.

READ ALSO:

• Egypt Raises Fuel Prices Up to 30% as Middle East War Drives Global Energy Costs
• Nothing Will Happen if You Die, Afenifere Director Tells Peter Obi
• Viral Video Shows Children Armed With Guns in Borno, Sparking National Outrage

Experts warn that the exchange of threats increases the risk of miscalculation or unintended clashes between US and Iranian forces. The standoff has also drawn attention from global leaders urging de-escalation, including calls for diplomatic interventions to prevent the conflict from spilling further across the region.

Strategic and Economic Implications

Iran’s warning comes at a time when global oil markets are highly sensitive, with prices spiking due to fears of supply disruptions. The Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 20% of the world’s crude passes, remains a focal point of international concern. Analysts note that both Tehran and Washington are using public rhetoric as a psychological strategy, signaling strength to domestic and international audiences while attempting to influence energy markets.

The message underscores how the ongoing US-Iran standoff extends beyond military posturing, affecting regional security, global trade, and energy stability. Observers say continued escalation could have profound consequences for the Middle East, international shipping, and global oil prices.

Iran Security Chief Fires Warning at Trump as US-Iran Tensions Escalate