US again lifts sanctions on Russian oil stranded at sea two days after Trump’s treasury secretary promised not to

It prolongs a similar 30-day waiver issued in March
The U.S.

Treasury Department has unexpectedly extended a pause on sanctions targeting Russian oil shipments, a decision made just two days after Secretary Scott Bessent publicly ruled out such a move.

The reversal aims to ease potential shortages exacerbated by the conflict in Iran .

The “general license” temporarily exempts Russian oil loaded onto tankers as of Friday from U.S.

sanctions for 30 days.

This extension highlights how the Iran war’s fallout is boosting Moscow’s ability to profit from energy exports, previously restrained since its invasion of Ukraine .

Bessent had said at the White House on Wednesday: “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 has yet to offer an immediate explanation for the sudden policy shift.