China is the largest purchaser of Iranian oil.
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Up First from NPRAug 25, 2026
Multiple reliable sources, including Reuters (Aug 20, 2026), AP (Apr 2026), a US Treasury OFAC alert and a USCC primary fact sheet, state that China is the biggest buyer of Iranian oil, taking roughly 80 to 90 percent of Iran's oil exports.
This claim is about the present, so it is judged as of the day it was checked.
What was said
The White House's plan to hit Iran's economy landed softer than expected. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant announced 60 new sanction targets, then gave everyone a window to comply. He didn't even mention China, Iran's biggest oil buyer. I'm Michelle Martin. That's Leila Fadl, and this is Up First from NPR News. President Trump needs other countries to fall in line with his economic pressure campaign on Iran. The UAE has already cut ties. Will others follow? …
Up First from NPR · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Supports. Reuters reports China is the biggest buyer of Iranian oil, with over 80% of Iran's shipped oil destined for China and Kpler estimating about 1.38 million barrels per day in 2025.[1]
Supports. AP reports China is the biggest buyer of Iranian oil, importing 80% to 90% of Iran's oil before the U.S.-Israeli war, with teapot refineries as the main buyers.[2]
Supports. The US-government-affiliated USCC primary fact sheet states China is Iran's largest trading partner and the primary buyer of Iranian oil, at roughly 90 percent of Iran's exported oil.[3]
Supports. The US Treasury OFAC alert states China is the world's largest purchaser of Iranian oil, acquiring around 90 percent of Iran's total oil exports.[4]
Context. The National (Aug 26, 2026) reports Chinese imports of Iranian crude fell about 48% below pre-war levels due to shipping disruption, but this does not change China's status as the largest buyer.[5]
Sources
5 sources: 2 fact-checkers, 2 primary, 1 rated low
- 1Trump threatens to isolate Iran. Who are its trading partners?reuters.com · fact-checker · cited for: supports
- 2US sanctions China-based oil refinery and 40 shippers over ...apnews.com · fact-checker · cited for: supports
- 3China-Iran Fact Sheet: A Short Primer on the Relationshipuscc.gov · primary source · cited for: supports
- 4OFAC Alert: Sanctions Risk of Dealing with Teapot Oil Refineriesofac.treasury.gov · primary source · cited for: supports
- 5China's Iranian oil imports nearly halve since war - The National Newsthenationalnews.com · rated low for factual reporting by Iffy.news · cited for: context
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