Arabic version: الولايات المتحدة تعدل عقوبات النفط الروسية وسط ارتفاع أسعار الطاقة
The United States has relaxed sanctions on countries purchasing Russian oil and petroleum already loaded on vessels at sea in response to the economic fallout from the US-Israel conflict with Iran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that this temporary waiver aims to promote “stability in global energy markets.” He emphasized that the measure is short-term and would not provide significant financial benefits to the Russian government.
According to BBC News, Russia currently has approximately 100 million barrels of oil in transit. The global energy market has been shaken by attacks on ships and infrastructure in the Gulf, coupled with the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for oil transport. Oil prices surged above $100 a barrel again on Thursday, and stock markets reacted negatively as three additional cargo vessels were attacked in the Gulf.
Bessent noted that the temporary waiver will remain in effect until April 11 and applies only to “permit countries.” He characterized the increase in oil prices as a short-term disruption that ultimately will benefit the US economy in the long run. This decision follows Washington’s announcement to release 172 million barrels of oil from its strategic petroleum reserve.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s economic envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, remarked that the US is acknowledging the necessity of Russian oil for global market stability. In contrast, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the easing of sanctions, labeling it a “concession” that could enable Russia to acquire more weapons. French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz does not justify lifting sanctions on Russia, indicating ongoing discussions with Zelensky to strengthen pressure on Moscow.
The UK has opted not to follow the US in easing sanctions, with energy minister Michael Shanks expressing concerns about enabling Russian military funding. The spike in energy prices has prompted various responses from other nations, including the International Energy Agency’s announcement to release a record 400 million barrels of oil. Asian governments, major consumers of Gulf oil, have also initiated measures such as price caps and work schedule adjustments to mitigate the impact of rising fuel costs.
