China continues to buy the bulk of Iranian oil.

Posted by Up First from NPR, Aug 25, 2026Checked Nov 2, 2026

Polygraph verdictTrue

Sources: 1 contradict4 support2 context
Said: 1 time·
Confidence: 70%

Up First from NPRAug 25, 2026

… sanctions of their own, though the toughest measures are still being held in reserve. In the Gulf, the UAE has already cut all trade with Iran while other neighbors remain in a difficult position, and China continues to buy the bulk of Iranian oil even as it criticizes the new pressure campaign. The Supreme Court handed President Trump a temporary win on his effort to restrict mail-in voting weeks before midterm ballots go out, though the legal fight is far from settled and voting by mail still remains an option for now. …

20 claimsThe check →

As of 2026-08-25, sources show China remained the main buyer of Iranian oil, taking roughly 80-90% of Iran's seaborne exports, though volumes had fallen sharply under the US blockade. Later October reports say Iranian flows to China largely dried up, but the claim is judged as of its posting date.

This claim is about the present, so it is judged as of the day it was checked.

What we found

Supports. A Seattle Times article published 2026-08-25 cites Kpler data that China received about 1.2 million barrels a day of Iranian oil in 2026, only slightly below the same period last year.[3]

Supports. A Reuters factbox published 2026-08-20 says China is the biggest buyer of Iranian oil and that over 80% of Iran's shipped oil has been destined for China.[4]

Supports. Al-Monitor reports that China continues in 2026 to purchase roughly 80% to 90% of Iran's seaborne oil exports, though the scale of the trade has shrunk since the war began.[5]

Supports. NPR reports China has been the largest importer of Iranian oil for about a decade, taking around 90% of Iran's oil supply, and is finding ways around the blockade.[2]

Contradicts. A Reuters report from 2026-08-21 says Chinese offers for Iranian crude fell as the US blockade cut Tehran's shipments, which narrows the volume but does not reverse China's share.[1]

Context. Later reports from October 2026 say Iranian exports to China had largely dried up after the naval blockade, so the 'continues' framing reflects the August situation rather than the current one.[6][7]