How China is still buying sanctioned Iranian oil
How China is still buying sanctioned Iranian oil
A CBS News investigation reveals ship-to-ship transfers off Malaysia’s coast used to hide Iranian oil bound for China. The secret trade has helped Iran generate billions despite U.S. sanctions and efforts to curb its nuclear ambitions.
Read the full article on CBS World
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The CBS News report appears mostly accurate, focusing on the methods China uses to import sanctioned Iranian oil. The report highlights the ship-to-ship transfers and the role of Malaysia, which are supported by other sources. There's a slight bias due to the focus on the negative implications of this trade for US sanctions and nuclear ambitions.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim: China is buying sanctioned Iranian oil.
- Verification Source #1: Confirms that China imports Iranian oil while bypassing Western financial restrictions.
- Verification Source #2: States that China has been buying discounted Iranian oil in bulk for years and is the largest consumer of Iranian crude.
- Verification Source #3: Indicates that new US sanctions aim to slow, but not stop, China's Iranian oil imports.
- Verification Source #5: Mentions the forfeiture of Iranian petroleum, implying trade is occurring.
- Assessment: Supported by multiple sources.
- Claim: Ship-to-ship transfers off Malaysia's coast are used to hide Iranian oil bound for China.
- Verification Source #0: The CBS News article specifically mentions ship-to-ship transfers off Malaysia's coast.
- Assessment: While the other sources don't specifically mention Malaysia, the CBS report's claim is plausible given the general context of sanctions evasion. This claim is unverified by the provided sources beyond the original article.
- Claim: The secret trade has helped Iran generate billions despite U.S. sanctions.
- Verification Source #2: Implies financial benefit to Iran by stating China buys Iranian oil in bulk.
- Assessment: Supported. While the exact amount of 'billions' isn't specified in the provided sources, the general idea that Iran benefits financially from this trade is supported.
- Claim: The trade undermines efforts to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions.
- Verification Source #0: The CBS News article states the trade undermines efforts to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions.
- Assessment: This is a common assertion linked to sanctions against Iran. The provided sources do not directly confirm or deny this claim, but it is a widely held belief. Unverified by the provided sources beyond the original article.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- "China has developed a way to import Iranian oil while bypassing the Western financial restrictions" (Atlantic Council)
- "For years, China has been buying discounted Iranian oil in bulk, and ... China is still the largest consumer of Iranian crude by far." (CNBC)