Iran-Taiwan relations

Iran-Taiwan relations are the bilateral and multilateral relations between Iran (formally the Islamic Republic of Iran) and Taiwan (formally the Republic of China).

History

In 2012 Taiwan paused oil imports from Iran due to international sactions. ^[1]

In 2018 the US issued sanctions waivers to eight countries which allowed them to continue importing Iranian oil, however Taiwan decided to cut Iranian imports even under the waiver. ^[2] Taiwanese imports of Iranian oil ended in 2018. ^[3]

In 2019 a ship under charter by CPC Corporation carrying naptha from the United Arab Emirates to Taiwan was attacked in the Gulf of Oman close to Iran's coast. ^{[4] [5]}

An Iranian newspaper wrote on its front-page in December 2022 that Taiwan has a "legal right" to independence. ^[6]

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu condemned the April 2024 Iranian strikes against Israel. ^{[7] [8]}

In 2025 the American government sanctioned two Taiwanese companies, Mecatron Machinery Co Ltd and Joemars Machinery and Electric Industrial Co Ltd, for providing unmanned aerial vehicle related goods and services to Iran. ^[9]

See also

• China-Iran relations
• Israel-Taiwan relations

References

1. "Taiwan June crude imports fall; no Iran inflows-govt data". reuters.com. Reuters. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
2. Chappell, Bill. "U.S. Won't Renew Sanction Exemptions For Countries Buying Iran's Oil". npr.org. National Public Radio. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
3. Chen, Li-Chiao. "Uncertainty and Instability: Taiwan-Iran Relations in the Early Cold War Period". globaltaiwan.org. Global Taiwan Institute. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
4. "Gulf of Oman tanker attacks: What we know". bbc.com. BBC. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
5. "Two tankers catch fire after 'attacks'". taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
6. Chin, Jonathan (15 December 2022). "Taiwan has right to independence: Iranian newspaper". Taipei Times . Archived from the original on 29 December 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
7. "Taiwan hopes to continue building Israel friendship". Taipei Times . 2024-04-16. Retrieved 2024-06-20. In reference to Iran launching an unprecedented large-scale drone and missile attack on Israel on Saturday evening, Tsai also expressed her sincere concern and condolences, and condemned the use of violence to destroy world peace.
8. Joseph Yeh (2024-04-15). "FM condemns Iran attack on Israel, says Taiwanese in both nations safe". Focus Taiwan . Central News Agency . Retrieved 2024-06-19. "The Republic of China Taiwan government has joined peace-loving democratic partners worldwide to condemn the attack, and urges all parties involved to employ communication to resolve disputes and avoid escalating tensions," the MOFA statement added.
9. "US sanctions two Taiwanese firms". taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. Retrieved 1 August 2025.