The United States continues to suspend sanctions targeting Russian oil from ships at sea, a minister of Donald Trump announced on Monday, a measure that, according to Washington, is intended to reduce pressure on the hydrocarbon market in the context of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, writes AFP.
This “temporary 30-day” exemption is intended to “allow the most vulnerable countries” to import this oil, explained on the X platform the US Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent.
.@USTreasury is issuing a temporary 30-day general license to provide the most vulnerable nations with the ability to temporarily access Russian oil currently stranded at sea.
This extension will provide additional flexibility, and we will work with these nations to provide…
— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) May 18, 2026
Washington, which usually blocks deals involving Russian oil, introduced the waiver in March to try to temper a price spike caused by the Middle East war.
The exemption had already been extended in April.
“This general license will help stabilize the physical oil market and ensure that oil reaches the most energy vulnerable countries,” continued Scott Bessent.
According to the American official, the measure will also prevent this oil from going to China, which “builds up its stocks at a low price”.
The US sanctions were aimed at cutting off this source of funding for the Russian government in retaliation for the invasion of Ukraine.
Global energy markets were disrupted after the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran in late February.
Tehran controls the Strait of Hormuz, using it as strategic leverage. Ships currently transit the strait in very small numbers.
