President Donald Trump’s administration of the United States has issued a 30-day sanctions waiver allowing the purchase of Iranian oil at sea, a move aimed at relieving energy supply pressures amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran.
The temporary authorization was outlined in a general license posted Friday on the U.S. Treasury Department’s website, permitting the sale of Iranian crude and petroleum products loaded onto vessels between March 20 and April 19.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the development on X, describing the waiver as “narrowly tailored” and “temporary,” intended specifically to clear Iranian oil currently stranded at sea.
“By temporarily unlocking this existing supply for the world, the United States will quickly bring approximately 140 million barrels of oil to global markets, expanding worldwide energy availability and helping to relieve temporary supply pressures caused by Iran,” Bessent said.
He added, “In essence, we will be using the Iranian barrels against Tehran to keep prices down as we continue Operation Epic Fury.”
This represents the third short-term sanctions relief in roughly two weeks, following a similar move for Russian oil.
Despite the measure, oil and gas prices remain elevated. Brent crude, which traded at around $72 per barrel before the outbreak of hostilities rose to $110 barrel per day as of Friday night.
