Iran
net exporterExports under sanctions – almost entirely to China.
Answer
Iran exports about 1.6 million barrels of crude a day. The largest buyers are China (81%).
Data: 2025 annual averages
Key figures
- Crude oil exports, barrels per day
- 1.6 million
- Largest buyer
- China · 81%
- Real risk
- Strait of Hormuz · 81%
Where does Iran's oil go?
| Buyer | share | thousand b/d |
|---|---|---|
| China | 81% | 1,300 |
| other destinations (not on the map) | 19% | 300 |
UN Comtrade, JODI-Oil · 2025
Which chokepoints does Iran's oil pass through?
The main maritime chokepoints on the way are Strait of Hormuz (81% of exports) and Strait of Malacca (81% of exports).
- Strait of Hormuz81% of exports · 1,300
- Strait of Malacca81% of exports · 1,300
Real risk: Strait of Hormuz – 81% of exports this way. Iran has kept the strait closed since 28 February 2026 – only some ships pass, under US escort. Before that it had repeatedly threatened closure; tankers were attacked in 2019 and 2024.
UN Comtrade · 2025
How much crude oil does Iran export?
Produces 3.3 million barrels a day. Uses 55% at home and sells 1.6 million (45%) abroad – one supertanker a day.
JODI-Oil · 2025
Iran: how did the 2026 oil crisis affect supplies and prices?
- February 28, 2026Iran closes the Strait of HormuzIran: 1.3 million barrels a day (81% of exports) with no way throughWikipedia: 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis
- March 11, 2026IEA countries release 400 million barrels from emergency stocksIran: 1.3 million barrels a day (81% of exports) with no way throughIEA, 11 Mar 2026
- September 11, 2026Drones hit Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline – the main route around HormuzIran: 1.3 million barrels a day (81% of exports) with no way throughCNBC, 14 Sept 2026
- September 28, 2026The East-West pipeline runs again, at lower capacityIran: 1.3 million barrels a day (81% of exports) with no way throughwnp.pl, 28 Sept 2026
Effect on supplies: model of oil routes (2025 flows), stranded = no sea route left on that day.
Main terminal: Kharg Island
Sources
- UN Comtrade – crude oil imports by country of origin (HS 2709), as reported by the importing country · 2025
- JODI-Oil – national crude oil production, imports and exports · 2025
- U.S. EIA – crude oil and petroleum products passing through maritime chokepoints · 2023
Related questions
Download the data
CSV and JSON, CC BY 4.0 – credit “chokepoints.io” with a link. Volumes in thousand barrels per day, 2025 annual averages.
Countries (CSV)Trade routes (CSV)Chokepoints (CSV)Everything (JSON)DOI 10.5281/zenodo.23267750 (Zenodo)