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 because of the U.S. blockade, while China’s imports of Iranian oil dropped to their 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 will not last, which may prompt the Chinese regime to take a more proactive stance on the Iran issue. Meanwhile, sanctions on Iranian and Russian oil may spur these two countries to take more actions that would further complicate global geopolitics.