China’s oil imports from Iran have reached historic highs, as Iran increases output despite U.S. sanctions. Iran’s October output rose to 3.17 million barrels per day, the most since sanctions were imposed in 2018.

China, Iran’s largest customer and world’s largest crude importer, acquired 1.05 million barrels per day of Iranian oil in the first 10 months of 2023, 60% higher than 2017 Chinese customs pre-sanction peaks.

The “dark fleet” of older tankers transports oil by turning off transponders at Iranian ports and performing ship-to-ship operations outside authorized transfer zones and bad weather.

China’s customs has not accepted Iranian direct imports since December 2020.