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China at the Heart of the Iranian Crisis - Dailynewsegypt
Simultaneously, as the principal and near-exclusive buyer of Iranian oil, China receives between 80% and 90% of Iran’s seaborne exports. In December 2025, total Iranian exports (most of which went to China) reached approximately 1.56 million barrels per day. The only agreement reached during Trump’s recent meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was to escalate “maximum pressure” aimed directly at Iranian oil exports to China. Speculation has grown regarding Iranian oil production amid escalating unrest and social protests in Tehran, U.S. involvement in support of demonstrators, and threats to topple the ruling regime. Under this scenario, total Iranian oil production would fall to 2 million barrels per day, compared with a 2025 average of 3.2 million barrels.
Source: Daily News Egypt February 24, 2026 15:23 UTC
