Before the United States and Israel attacked Iran, the country exported almost 4 million barrels of crude oil every day. Since the beginning of the conflict, this volume has dropped to about 1.5 million barrels, but is currently growing, according to estimates by analytical companies Kpler and Vortex.
Even taking into account the likely $10 discount. per barrel compared to Brent oil prices, Iran still earns over $140 million from this trade. daily, despite threats and sanctions from the United States.
Kpler estimated that probably over 90 percent. of Iran's oil exports go to China – often to smaller, independent refineries that continue to buy the raw material at a discount, despite the applicable sanctions.
“Iran wants to mock the US”
Most of this oil passes through the terminal on Khark Island, and TankerTrackers satellite imagery shows that even after the U.S. bombed the island, at least two Iranian tankers continued to load oil there.
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The American think tank Middle East Forum said that these cargoes are very unusual because Iran does not currently need to increase exports. Citing data from Kpler, which estimated that about 200 million barrels of Iranian crude oil are already near China, the think tank suggested that Tehran is exporting more cargoes not out of necessity, but to mock the United States.
