Leaked Letters Describe Iran’s Push for Chinese Oil Terminals
Iran International says correspondence described efforts to secure Chinese terminal access and storage as Iranian oil exports came under pressure.
Key takeaways
- Iranian oil ministry sources said the country bought control of port facilities at three Chinese locations.
- Confidential letters described plans for terminal access, storage leases and shadow-fleet shipments to China.
Iran has bought control of port facilities at three locations in China and taken stakes in docks in Shandong, sources at Iran’s Oil Ministry told Iran International.
The outlet reported that confidential correspondence between Ali Shamkhani and Hamid Bovard described efforts to establish a hub for sanctioned Iranian crude. Bovard wrote that Iran’s Foreign Ministry had negotiated to buy Chinese port facilities and oil terminals. Iran had also sought long-term leases on large storage sites, according to the report.
The letters described using shadow-fleet vessels to keep oil trade with China going. Vessel-tracking services have estimated that Iranian oil exports have plunged since August, while floating storage has been drained amid a U.S. Navy blockade, the article said.
This article was produced with the help of AI technology. Based on reporting by the outlets listed above.
