Why America Throws Away Shipping Containers from China Part 2

1. Oil Chemistry

Not all oil is the same.

The oil produced in America is called light crude oil — it is thinner and less viscous.

But America’s older refineries were designed to process heavy crude oil, which is thicker.

These refineries were built when America imported heavy oil from Mexico and Venezuela.

To process light oil, America would need to rebuild refinery technology, costing over $200 billion.

Instead, America sells its light oil at higher prices and buys heavy crude cheaply from abroad.

2. Logistics Problem

Oil is produced in one region, while refineries are far away.

For example, Texas has massive oil reserves.

But there are not enough pipelines to transport that oil to New York or the East Coast.

California has become an “oil island.”

Because of limited pipelines, California is forced to import nearly 70% of its oil.

3. The Jones Act

The final nail in the coffin is the Jones Act.

During World War I, America faced a crisis transporting soldiers and supplies overseas because it lacked enough ships.

So a law was passed requiring that transport between two American ports must be done only by:

American ships

With American crews

But since shipbuilding in America is three times more expensive than in China, and sailors’ wages are much higher, this law backfired.

Transporting oil from Texas to New York becomes so expensive that it adds about $5 per barrel.

So refineries often find it cheaper to import oil from abroad rather than use domestic oil.

A law meant to protect America is slowly eating it from within.

How Iran Smuggles Boeing 777 Aircraft

Now let’s talk about Iran.

America has imposed sanctions on Iran for years.

Iran cannot officially buy or sell goods from America or its allies.

Yet Iran’s Mahan Air has a large fleet of American and European aircraft.

So how does Iran smuggle Boeing 777s?

In 2024–25, Iran shocked the world when five Boeing 777 aircraft suddenly appeared in its possession.

This was possible through years of planning.

In the Alice Springs desert in Australia, there is a massive aircraft graveyard.

Five old but usable Boeing 777s belonging to Singapore Airlines were parked there.

Iran couldn’t buy them directly.

So they were purchased through a US-based aviation company.

Then they were taken to China, where they were sold to a fake Madagascar-based company.

These companies didn’t really exist — only on paper — to avoid US scrutiny.

Once registered under Madagascar’s flag, the FAA lost control.

The aircraft were then moved to Cambodia, where aviation rules are not strict.

In July 2025, the planes filed flight plans claiming they were heading to Kenya for maintenance.

But once they entered Afghan airspace, where monitoring is weak, they turned off their transponders and disappeared from radar.

Instead of Kenya, they changed course and landed in Iranian cities like Chabahar, Zahedan, and Mashhad.

By the time the world realized it, the five Boeing 777s had become part of Iran’s Mahan Air fleet.

America could do nothing because all buyer and seller companies were fake.

Today, Mahan Air has 50–60 active aircraft, mostly Airbus, but also several Boeing jets.

Why the World Can’t Stop Them

Under the Chicago Convention Law, unless countries are at war, they cannot stop civilian aircraft from using airspace or landing.

Due to sanctions, many countries don’t allow Iranian planes to refuel.

But if Europe blocks Iran’s airspace access, Iran could retaliate by closing its airspace to European flights.

That would severely damage routes between the Middle East and Europe.

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