![\"Iran](\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Iran-oil-fields-e1693070887321.jpg\" "\\"Iran")
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Officials from the Iranian regime’s Ministry of Oil are claiming that they have managed to achieve oil sales comparable to pre-sanctions levels, all the while receiving payments in cash. A Bloomberg report<\/a> highlights that despite the U.S. sanctions, Iran’s oil exports have surged, hitting a daily average of 2.2 million barrels during the first 20 days of August. Western sources stress in their reports that China stands as the main recipient of Iran’s oil, given that most nations are adhering to the sanctions placed on the Iranian regime.<\/p>\n Regarding this statistic, Hamid Hosseini, the chairman of the board of directors of the Union of Oil, Gas, and Petrochemical Products Exporters, stated<\/a>, “There is no doubt that there is demand in the oil market and the oil price has increased to $87. However, the ability of Iran to export two million barrels per day raises doubt and ambiguity.”<\/p>\n Hosseini added, “We consume 1.85 million barrels domestically and have the capacity to sell 1.4 million barrels. Based on the current technical conditions in the oil industry, it does not seem that the country can produce more than three million barrels. Moreover, domestic oil consumption should also be taken into account, and the remaining oil balance does not amount to 2 million barrels.”<\/p>\n One question that regime officials have consistently avoided answering is the price at which they are selling oil, given the sanctions in place.<\/p>\n Oil and energy analyst Simon Watkins has alleged that China is buying Iranian oil at astonishingly discounted rates.<\/p>\n In May 2023, he wrote,<\/a> \u201cIn the 25-Year Agreement, China is guaranteed oil and gas prices from Iran at least 30 percent lower than the relevant oil pricing benchmarks. However, since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, China has been demanding an extra discount on Iranian oil to the 30 percent discount at which it can currently also buy Russian oil, according to the Iran source. \u201cOn average, the Chinese discount for Iranian crude oil to the international benchmark over the last 12 months has been around 44 percent.\u201d<\/p>\n Yet, these unfavorable terms have deteriorated even more. Starting from November 11, 2022, China has been paying for the oil it purchases from Iran using non-convertible Yuan. This essentially means obligating the regime to exchange oil for Chinese products.<\/p>\n Classified Documents Show Iran\u2019s IRGC Dominates Oil Revenuehttps:\/\/t.co\/genvxrs91b<\/a><\/p>\n — NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) May 23, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nHow accurate are these assertions?<\/h3>\n
What is the selling price of the regime’s oil?<\/h3>\n
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