Due to the ongoing American-Israeli attacks on Iran, oil supplies to China are at risk. In such a situation, the deep energy relations between Tehran and Beijing are currently going through the most difficult phase in many years. This is being considered a big threat to the Chinese economy. Beijing has strongly condemned the attacks on Tehran and called for a ceasefire, but China has avoided any economic retaliation as it could threaten China’s energy supply chain.
‘China reduced Iranian oil purchases’
According to NDTV report, Beijing buys more than 80 percent of Iran’s oil exports. This was equivalent to about 1.38 million barrels per day in 2025, which was about 13 to 14 percent of China’s total seaborne crude oil imports. This risk is quite big. Although Iran is not the only country. China’s two largest oil suppliers are Russia and Saudi Arabia. Since tensions escalated, Chinese refinery companies have quietly reduced purchases of Iranian oil and have become more dependent on Russian oil available at discounted rates to keep oil supplies stable.
Balakrishnan, co-founder of Avalon Intelligence, called Tehran’s retaliation a historic strategic mistake. According to him, Iran is not only facing a powerful military alliance, but it is also jeopardizing its important role as a vital link in China’s energy and geopolitical architecture in West Asia.
’25 year cooperation agreement in danger’
Iran has a 25-year cooperation agreement with Beijing, covering energy, infrastructure and transportation corridors linked to the Belt and Road Initiative. Subsidized shipments of crude, often sent through complex trade channels amid Western sanctions, have given China a stable base of supply. Balakrishnan argues that Iran’s missile attacks on American assets in the Middle East could be strategically counterproductive.
‘Targeting American assets is a big mistake’
“By targeting US assets on Arab soil, Tehran has angered neutral parties and intensified the regional tilt towards the US-Israel alliance,” he said. This change limits Iran’s diplomatic scope and increases difficulties in China’s efforts to balance the entire region.
The biggest threat to Beijing is the Strait of Hormuz. About 44 percent of China’s oil imports come from the Middle East. Any obstruction in this important sea route would be many times greater than Iran’s direct share in imports from China.
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