Iran Defies US Blockade, Continues Oil Sales

Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad confirmed that the country continues to sell and deliver oil despite the US naval blockade. He acknowledged a decline in sales but stated that deliveries are still ongoing, albeit in international waters beyond Iran's territorial limits.

Paknejad declined to provide operational details, citing concerns that such information could be used by adversaries. Kpler estimates that Iranian crude shipments to China have decreased significantly, falling to about 534,000 barrels per day in August from 823,000 bpd in July. This represents a decline of over 35% compared to the average 1.4 million bpd in 2025.

The US has expanded sanctions targeting Iranian oil revenues, shipping, financial networks, and companies allegedly helping Tehran maintain external trade. Meanwhile, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf expressed confidence that the US economic blockade would ultimately fail, calling on Washington to lift the blockade, release frozen assets, and end military operations.