Iran’s oil exports in 2025 have shown an unexpected degree of resilience, maintaining a steady upward trajectory despite renewed US pressure and the looming return of UN sanctions under the snapback mechanism. Industry trackers say shipments not only held firm through the first half of the year, but in several months surged to their strongest levels since 2018.
According to tanker-tracking data, Iran exported an average of 1.7 million barrels per day (bpd) in the first six months of 2025. The trend accelerated sharply in September, when exports climbed above 1.9 million bpd, marking the country’s highest monthly performance in more than six years. Analysts attribute the jump partly to market reactions ahead of the official reactivation of UN sanctions expected at the end of the month.
Preliminary October figures suggest momentum has continued, with daily flows briefly touching 2.15 million bpd, supported by elevated monthly averages that indicate ongoing demand for Iran’s discounted crude.
Production has also increased. Iran pumped about 3.45 million bpd in September, up from 3.25 million bpd in August, reflecting Tehran’s efforts to maximize output before sanctions tighten further.
China remains by far the dominant buyer, taking in nearly all Iranian crude despite a slight dip in September imports to around 1.4 million bpd.
The figures highlight Iran’s continued ability to sustain and even expand exports despite Washington’s long-running campaign to choke off its oil revenue, underscoring how alternative logistics and persistent Asian demand have blunted the impact of sanctions.
