China, India, Japan, and South Korea imported a total of 1.63 million barrels per day (mb/d) in February, the lowest levels since December and a 20% decline from February 2017, Gulf News reported.

All importers except India reduced purchaces.

China’s imports of Iranian crude fell by 28% to a 13-month low of 474,386 barrels per day (b/d); however, the country’s overall crude imports rose by 1.

5% in February.

India’s imports from Iran rose 1.3% to 655,500 b/d last month. Korea’s purchases were down almost a third.

Japan’s purchases fell by 22% from February 2017, marking the 10th straight month in decline.

Concerns over US President Donald Trump leaving the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and re-imposing sanctions on the Islamic Republic have made it difficult for Iran to maintain its levels of export, as countries are wary about conducting trade with Iranian companies.