Iran’s Oil Exports and China’s Imports of Iranian Oil Plummet in May as Strait of Hormuz Blockade Continues

China’s teapot refiners cut output due to a weak economy and reliance on stockpiles that won’t last.

U.S. forces patrol the Arabian Sea near the M/V Touska by the Strait of Hormuz on April 20, 2026. U.S. Navy via Getty Images

Iran’s crude oil exports in May fell to a six-year low due to the U.S. blockade, while China’s imports of Iranian oil dropped to the lowest level since January 2025, according to the latest international shipping data. Meanwhile, Russia has tried to attract Chinese buyers amid a sluggish Chinese domestic economy.

Analysts told The Epoch Times that China’s consumption of oil stockpiles and oil at sea won’t last, which may prompt the Chinese regime to take a more proactive stance on the Iran issue, while sanctions on Iran and Russian oil may spur these two countries to take more actions that would further complicate global geopolitics.