Authorities monitor a suspected illegal crude oil transfer between Iran flagged tankers within Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone near the Natuna Islands (BAKAMLA RI)
In violation of international sanctions against Tehran, the Myanmar junta imported gasoline from Iran as many as three times from December 2025 to the initial stage of the war between Iran and the US-Israel on February 28. This move is essential for supplying the jet fighters to support its air force operations. As Nikkei Asia reported, the fuel supply is expected to support a 120 to 150-day air campaign. The last shipment arrived in the middle of February 2026 to replenish jet fuel storage near its biggest city of Yangon.
However, the war that tore apart the Middle East’s stability threatens Myanmar’s fuel supply. Since the US-Israel coalition struck Iran’s critical energy facilities, including fuel installations, the traded supply abroad will be disrupted. Furthermore, this volatility will further increase the price, forcing the junta to find alternative sources.
Iran and Myanmar have built closer ties since the military junta took over power in Naypyidaw in 2021. Iran, along with several other nations, including China, Russia and North Korea, has long-standing support for Myanmar’s military regimes. Known as the “neo-authoritarian bloc,” or NAB, these nations have subsequently supplied political, technological, and economic support for the regime.
Moreover, both nations remain on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) high-risk list due to money laundering and terrorism financing concerns. Nongovernmental organisations such as Justice For Myanmar and Amnesty International have echoed a campaign to stop any attempt to provide the junta with any pivotal resources to support the junta’s airstrikes against civilians.
Despite sanctions, reports suggest that the relationship between the two countries has continued quietly. According to Reuters, Iran had secretly provided the junta with jet-fighter fuel and urea. Since October 2024, Iran has become the primary fuel provider to the regime, accounting for 175,000 tons of jet fuel that are transported by MV Reef and Noble ships.
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