Oil is starting to flow from the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz again. But it’s only Iranian oil, on Iranian terms, and to a single end customer: China. Kpler, a company that tracks international energy trade, has seen a significant increase in crude oil exports from the conflict-ridden region in recent days. The data was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
The Tehran regime is thus reopening this strategic maritime arm, through which, before the third Gulf War, about a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas, a third of chemical fertilizers, and significant portions of aluminum (15%) and helium (30%), which is widely used in the production of semiconductors, passed.
But he is opening it only for himself. And only in favor of China, which behind the scenes is providing technological and logistical support for Iran's resistance and military counteroffensive against other Gulf countries.
Iranian exports, according to Kpler’s estimates, have reached about 2.1 million barrels per day, slightly more than before the fighting began. In other words, even though it has been hit hard, the Iranian regime is starting to see that its strategy is working.
It aims to inflict maximum economic damage on the Gulf states, the United States, and the international system by blocking the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, at least for the time being, it manages to maintain relative financial stability for itself.
