{
  "id": 19136636,
  "title": "Iran’s hidden oil network in China: Leaked letter details Tehran’s strategy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/irans-hidden-oil-network-in-china-leaked-letter-details-tehrans",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-09T10:29:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/irans-hidden-oil-network-in-china-leaked-letter-details-tehrans-strategy-to-bypass-us-sanctions/articleshow/135678848.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A confidential letter obtained by Iran International reveals Iran's strategy to maintain oil exports despite US sanctions through a hidden network in China. Former Iranian Oil Company head Hamid Bovard warned of the harsh policies of former President Ebrahim Raisi and detailed a covert relationship with China. The arrangement involves Iranian-controlled facilities at Ningbo-Zhoushan free trade zone, Qingdao, and Pant in Shandong province, where tankers can unload crude directly. Iran has also secured storage tanks in Dalian, Huizhou, Dongying, Weifang, and Zhoushan area. The setup bypasses conventional shipping routes and conventional international banking channels, allowing Iran to sell crude to Chinese refineries and bypass sanctions. However, tensions emerged as China rejected requests for higher import quotas, demanded deeper discounts, and accused intermediaries of misusing government loans. Despite these challenges, China remains Iran's largest oil customer.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Iran uses hidden oil network in China to bypass US sanctions",
    "Facilities in Ningbo-Zhoushan, Qingdao, and Shandong provinces facilitate crude unloading",
    "China rejects Iran's requests for higher import quotas and deeper discounts"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}