US extends waiver on Russian oil sanctions to ease Iran war shortages despite Bessent denial
The U.S. Treasury Department on Friday extended its pause on sanctions on Russian oil shipments to ease shortages from the Iran war, days after Secretary Scott Bessent ruled out such a move.
The general license means U.S. sanctions will not apply for 30 days to deliveries of Russian oil loaded on tankers as of Friday. It extends a similar 30-day license issued in March for oil loaded by March 11, underscoring how the Iran war has boosted Moscow’s ability to profit from energy exports that had been restrained since the invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, Bessent had ruled out extending the license, saying, “We will not be renewing the general license on Russian oil, and we will not be renewing the general license on Iranian oil.” The administration did not immediately explain the reversal.
