Iran Secretly Ships 11.7 Million Barrels of Oil to China Through the Strait of Hormuz

Despite the ongoing US-Israel war choking the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has sent at least 11.7 million barrels of crude oil through the waterway since the conflict began February 28, all destined for China, according to TankerTrackers. Shipping data provider Kpler estimates approximately 12 million barrels have passed through since the war started. Iran exported 2.16 million barrels per day in February, the highest level since July 2018, while Iran has also resumed loading tankers at the Jask terminal on the Gulf of Oman as an alternative export route. China has aggressively stockpiled reserves, with crude imports soaring 15.8% in the first two months of 2026. Beijing holds an estimated 1.2 billion barrels of inventory, enough to meet demand for three to four months.