China backs Iran modestly as U.S. tightens sanctions on Tehran

China still purchases the bulk of Iran's oil, but major state-owned refiners such as Sinopec and PetroChina have largely stayed away, delegating the trade to independent processors. While Chinese leadership opposes U.S. sanctions, experts note Beijing's foreign policy must balance relations with the Gulf, the United States and other regional powers, limiting any deepening of ties with Tehran. At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met Xi Jinping, though Chinese media did not highlight the encounter.

Iranian crude exports to China fell from roughly 1.85 million barrels per day in early spring to about 240,000 bpd in August, according to ship-tracking data. U.S. Treasury officials warn that remaining Iranian oil reserves at sea are dwindling, and China’s willingness to shield Tehran is constrained by its own commercial interests and the risk of secondary sanctions. Analysts conclude that China views Iran more as a customer than a strategic ally, supporting limited trade while avoiding actions that could jeopardize broader regional partnerships.