China's imports of Iranian crude oil surged to a record high in June 2025, reaching approximately 1.83 million barrels per day between June 1 and 20, according to multiple reports including Reuters and tanker tracking firms Vortexa and Kpler. This volume marks a multi-year peak in Iranian oil exports to China, driven by accelerated shipments and increased demand from independent Chinese refineries, often referred to as "teapot" refineries. The surge occurred amid the Iran-Israel conflict in June, with sellers and buyers aiming to avoid disruptions from the regional tensions and potential sanctions. Iranian Light crude was reportedly sold at discounts of around $2 below ICE Brent for late July to early August delivery, narrower than previous discounts of $3.30 to $3.50. Despite ongoing U.S. sanctions, Iran has maintained robust exports to China, underscoring Tehran's ability to sustain its oil economy through alternative markets. In the broader context of China's crude oil imports in June, purchases from Saudi Arabia rose 16% year-over-year to 7.90 million tons, while imports from Russia fell slightly by 1% to 8.35 million tons. Overall, China's crude imports increased 7.4% year-over-year to 49.89 million tons, reflecting strong refinery demand and strategic diversification of supply sources.