US Treasury Claims Stranded Iranian Oil Will Run Out Amid Sanctions Pressure

The US Treasury Department claims that around 30 million barrels of Iranian oil remain stranded at sea. According to Secretary Scott Bessent, this stock will eventually run out even if Tehran continues receiving revenue from Chinese buyers.

Bessent argued that Washington aims to use economic pressure to push Iran back to negotiations and can sustain sanctions pressure without Chinese cooperation. The goal of Operation Economic Outcast is to create conditions that make Tehran 'want to come to the table.'

China remains Iran's largest oil customer, with imports sharply falling. In August, Chinese imports of Iranian crude were estimated at around 534,000 barrels per day, down from peaks of 1.58 million bpd earlier this year.