The steel-making staple rose as much as 1.3% to $111.90 a ton in Singapore and was on course for a sixth gain in seven sessions.
Investors focused on steady steel production and firm profitability at Chinese mills, supporting prices despite concerns that rising supply could weigh on the market.
China is the world's largest iron ore user, so signs of resilient demand there helped offset supply risks and pushed futures to their strongest level in months.
As China's new buying cartel flexes its power, is the era of market-led iron ore pricing over?
Amid a weak property sector and output curbs, is the iron ore price rally just a temporary illusion?
Will China's green energy shift and decarbonization goals permanently reduce its massive appetite for iron ore?