Last Updated:March 11, 2026, 11:53 IST Beijing is reportedly securing Iranian crude at $8-$12 per barrel below Brent benchmarks, saving billions of dollars annually while strengthening its energy security. As tensions in West Asia disrupt global energy flows and raise fears over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, intelligence sources say China has quietly emerged as one of the biggest beneficiaries of the crisis—securing discounted Iranian oil, gathering valuable military data, and expanding its strategic reach in the region. Top Indian intelligence sources told CNN-News18 that Beijing's deep ties with Tehran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-linked maritime networks have allowed it to maintain a steady flow of crude even as geopolitical tensions roil global markets. China today buys roughly 80-90 per cent of Iran's oil exports, amounting to abou t 1.3-1.6 million barrels per day, according to the sources. During periods in early 2026, imports are estima...