Kayla Zhu
2025-06-25 08:12:00
www.visualcapitalist.com
Who Buys the Most Iranian Oil?
This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.
As tensions escalate between Iran, Israel, and the U.S. amid fragile ceasefire negotiations, the Iranian oil market is facing heightened volatility.
Certain Asian economies that rely heavily on Iranian crude and stable passage through the Strait of Hormuz now face some of the greatest exposure.
This chart visualizes the breakdown of Iran’s crude oil and condensate exports by destination in 2023.
Data comes from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
China is the Top Buyer of Iranian Oil
Below, we show the share of Iran’s oil exports by destination.
| Country | Share of Iran’s Crude Oil Exports |
|---|---|
 China |
89% |
 Syria |
6% |
 United Arab Emirates |
3% |
 Venezuela |
2% |
In 2023, a staggering 89% of Iran’s oil exports went to China, a sharp rise from just 25% in 2017.
This surge followed renewed U.S. sanctions in 2018, which isolated Iran from most global oil buyers.
Iran is among the world’s largest oil producers, and in recent years, China has become its most critical customer both economically and geopolitically.
As hostilities in the region intensify–marked by U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear infrastructure and Iranian missile strikes on American bases in Qatar and Iraq—China’s access to Iranian oil is increasingly at risk.
This is because the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for China’s oil imports, could be disrupted by further conflict or Iranian retaliation.
While Iran supplies only about 13% of China’s total oil imports, the relationship is strategically important, offering China discounted crude and reinforcing its broader regional influence amid Western pressure.
Learn More on the Voronoi App 
To learn more about the importance of the Strait of Hormuz, check out this graphic by Ehsan Soltani that dives deep into this key maritime passage.
Keep your files stored safely and securely with the SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD. With over 69,505 ratings and an impressive 4.6 out of 5 stars, this product has been purchased over 8K+ times in the past month. At only $129.99, this Amazon’s Choice product is a must-have for secure file storage.
Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256-bit AES hardware encryption. Order now for just $129.99 on Amazon!
Help Power Techcratic’s Future – Scan To Support
If Techcratic’s content and insights have helped you, consider giving back by supporting the platform with crypto. Every contribution makes a difference, whether it’s for high-quality content, server maintenance, or future updates. Techcratic is constantly evolving, and your support helps drive that progress.
As a solo operator who wears all the hats, creating content, managing the tech, and running the site, your support allows me to stay focused on delivering valuable resources. Your support keeps everything running smoothly and enables me to continue creating the content you love. I’m deeply grateful for your support, it truly means the world to me! Thank you!
|
BITCOIN
bc1qlszw7elx2qahjwvaryh0tkgg8y68enw30gpvge Scan the QR code with your crypto wallet app |
|
DOGECOIN
D64GwvvYQxFXYyan3oQCrmWfidf6T3JpBA Scan the QR code with your crypto wallet app |
|
ETHEREUM
0xe9BC980DF3d985730dA827996B43E4A62CCBAA7a Scan the QR code with your crypto wallet app |
Please read the Privacy and Security Disclaimer on how Techcratic handles your support.
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, Techcratic may earn from qualifying purchases.
