Israel’s Azerbaijani oil imports via Turkey surged despite trade ban: Report
A new report has revealed that Israel’s imports of Azerbaijani oil shipments through Turkey hit a three-year high in 2025, and the trend continues to rise despite Ankara’s official trade ban on the Tel Aviv regime in response to the genocide in Gaza.
According to Reuters, Kpler data shows that Israeli imports of Azerbaijani crude from Ceyhan terminal averaged 94,000 barrels per day (bpd) last year, marking a 31 percent year-on-year increase and the highest level since 2022.
The figures further widened Azerbaijan’s lead over Russia, which is the second-largest oil supplier to the Israeli-occupied territories.
Russia accounted for roughly 28 percent of Israel’s oil imports, according to Kpler, while Azerbaijani crude ultimately made up 46.4 percent last year.
The deliveries persisted despite Turkish government data showing no recorded trade between Turkey and Israel since June 2024, when Ankara announced a ban linked to Israel’s genocidal campaign in Gaza.
Turkish officials assert that the state does not determine the final destination of crude transported via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline (BTC).
In a statement issued in November 2024, Ankara said exporters operating through Ceyhan had “respected its decision to end trade with Israel” by not declaring Israel as a destination.
This is while shipping analysts cited by Reuters dispute that assertion.
Data from Kpler and Vortexa shows vessels bound for Israel routinely conceal their routes by disabling tracking systems or signaling alternate destinations.
“The vessel will typically signal offshore Egypt/Cyprus, and will discharge to Israel,” Vortexa said, citing Aframax tanker Valfoglia, which loaded at Ceyhan and discharged 680,000 barrels of Azerbaijani Light crude in Israel on January 7.
Another vessel, Suezmax tanker Kimolos, loaded Azerbaijani crude at Ceyhan on December 31 and switched off its automatic identification system tracker between January 1 and 5, LSEG data show. Kpler data show it was discharged on January 4 at Ashkelon port in the southern part of the Israeli-occupied lands.
Back in November last year, Oil Change International reported that Azerbaijan remained one of Israel’s main energy suppliers during the Gaza genocide – alongside Kazakhstan, the US, and Russia, followed by 21 other countries – with most crude shipments routed through the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan Pipeline and Turkey’s Ceyhan port, despite public claims of trade restrictions.
Ben-Gvir arms more Israeli settlers amid rising violence in West Bank
Hamas warns of ‘systematic Israeli violations’ as Gaza ceasefire teeters
Israeli strikes kill 11 across Gaza, including children and journalists: Palestinian medics
China hits US with economic counteroffensive after Maduro’s abduction: Report
Ben-Gvir arms more Israeli settlers amid rising violence in West Bank
'Hands on trigger': IRGC warns US and Israel against any miscalculation
VIDEO | US and Israel’s failed terrorism
After Venezuela, Trump sets sight on Cuba for 'regime change': Report
Trump’s ‘bulldozer’ diplomacy is deepening US-France rift: Analyst
Israeli bullets found in bodies of children killed in recent Iran riots: Report
South Korean civic leaders demand peace with North
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
