Fact Check: "China imports over 1.8 million barrels of Iranian oil daily."
What We Know
The claim that "China imports over 1.8 million barrels of Iranian oil daily" is based on recent reports regarding China's oil imports from Iran. According to a report by Reuters, China's crude oil imports from Iran reached approximately 1.71 million barrels per day (bpd) in March 2025, which was a notable increase from previous months but did not exceed 1.8 million bpd (source-1). Furthermore, another report indicated that while there was a surge in imports, they did not surpass the 1.8 million bpd mark, standing at 1.71 million bpd in the same timeframe (source-4).
Analysis
The evidence presented from reputable sources indicates that while China's imports of Iranian oil have indeed increased, they have not reached the claimed figure of over 1.8 million bpd. The highest reported figure is 1.71 million bpd, which is below the threshold mentioned in the claim.
The reliability of the sources is strong, as they come from established news organizations like Reuters, which adheres to journalistic standards and has a history of accurate reporting in the commodities sector. The data provided by Kpler, a recognized analytics firm, also supports the reported figures, adding credibility to the claims about import volumes (source-1, source-4).
Moreover, the context surrounding these imports is significant. The increase in imports is attributed to geopolitical factors, including potential new U.S. sanctions, which led Chinese refiners to stock up on Iranian oil before any restrictions could take effect (source-1). This context is crucial for understanding the dynamics of oil imports but does not alter the factual import volume.
Conclusion
The claim that "China imports over 1.8 million barrels of Iranian oil daily" is False. The highest confirmed figure for China's imports from Iran in March 2025 was 1.71 million bpd, which does not meet the threshold of 1.8 million bpd as stated in the claim. The evidence from reliable sources consistently supports this conclusion.
