US Further "Lifts Restrictions" on Russian Oil! Within the Next 30 Days, All Countries Will Be Able to Purchase This Type of Russian Oil……

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Source: Cailian Press

Cailian Press, March 13 — (Editor: Xiao Xiang) On Thursday (March 12), local time, against the backdrop of recent tensions in the Middle East causing a sharp rise in oil prices, the U.S. government further eased sanctions on some Russian oil.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stated that to stabilize the global energy market amid turmoil from the Iran conflict, the U.S. has issued a 30-day exemption for countries purchasing sanctioned Russian oil and petroleum products stranded at sea. Following this news, oil prices retreated slightly during Friday’s Asian morning session.

According to the license text published on the U.S. Treasury Department’s website, the license issued on Thursday authorizes the delivery and sale of Russian crude oil products loaded onto ships before 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on March 12, with the license valid until 12:01 a.m. on April 11.

Previously, the U.S. Treasury issued a 30-day exemption specifically for India on March 5, allowing India to purchase Russian oil stranded at sea. This latest policy change undoubtedly expands the exemption scope from India to global buyers.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on X platform that this measure is a “targeted short-term action” applicable only to oil already in transit and will not bring “significant economic benefits” to the Russian government.

Yellen also echoed former President Trump’s view, stating that “temporary oil price increases are short-term disturbances and will ultimately bring great benefits to the U.S. economy.”

However, many industry insiders believe that the latest “liberation” of Russian oil also reflects concerns within the White House: after nearly two weeks of U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, soaring oil prices could harm American businesses and consumers—especially with the mid-term elections in November approaching, as the Republican Party, led by Trump, strives to maintain control of Congress.

White House Implements Multiple Measures to Lower Oil Prices

This move is undoubtedly the latest effort by the Trump administration to stabilize energy prices. Previously, U.S.-Israel actions against Iran and Tehran’s subsequent retaliations heightened regional tensions, leading to the paralysis of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting key Middle Eastern oil and gas supply chains, and significantly increasing energy prices.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) stated earlier Thursday that the Middle East conflict is causing the most severe oil supply disruptions in history.

On Wednesday, the U.S. government announced the release of 172 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to curb the spike in oil prices caused by the Iran conflict. This release is part of the IEA’s plan, involving 32 countries, to release a total of 400 million barrels.

The White House also said on Thursday that to further control oil prices, the Trump administration is considering temporarily waiving shipping restrictions under the Jones Act to ensure free flow of energy and agricultural products at U.S. ports. Waiving the act would allow foreign ships to transport fuel between U.S. ports, potentially reducing costs and speeding up deliveries.

Earlier, Trump ordered the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to provide political risk insurance and financial guarantees for maritime trade in the Gulf region, and stated that the U.S. Navy could escort ships in the area.

Stephen Miller, Deputy Director of the White House Office, said in an interview on Thursday, “The President is taking all possible measures to lower oil prices… more actions will be seen in the coming days.”

According to industry statistics, as of Thursday, about 124 million barrels of Russian crude oil are dispersed across 30 different sea areas worldwide. Considering the daily oil loss through the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. license to release Russian offshore oil can only compensate for about five to six days of global supply.

Kiril Dmitriev, Special Presidential Envoy for Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation of Russia, said that the sanctions restrictions lifted by the U.S. will involve about 100 million barrels of Russian oil in transit.

“Unblocking” Russian Oil May Spark Disputes Among U.S. Allies

While the further exemption from sanctions on Russian oil is expected to increase global oil supply, it could complicate Western efforts to deprive Russia of war funding and deepen divisions between the U.S. and its allies.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen participated in a G7 leaders’ phone call on Wednesday. After discussing the impact of the Iran conflict on the oil and gas markets, she stated that now is not the time to relax sanctions on Russia.

Currently, developments in the Gulf region have once again placed Europe in an “awkward” position, reigniting concerns over energy sources. Europe has historically relied heavily on Russia, but after the Russia-Ukraine conflict, it has been working to diversify imports, increasingly relying on the U.S. and the Middle East.

Dmitriev, Putin’s special representative, pointed out that despite resistance from some Brussels bureaucracies, the worsening energy crisis makes further easing of restrictions on Russian energy increasingly unavoidable.

Notably, since the U.S. granted India a temporary exemption to purchase Russian offshore oil earlier this month, Indian refiners are reported to have purchased about 30 million barrels of Russian oil.

Under U.S. pressure, India has been gradually reducing its Russian oil imports since 2025. However, sources say that since the U.S. approved India’s purchase of Russian oil last week, Indian refiners—including state-owned oil companies and Reliance Industries—have been aggressively buying all unsold Russian crude in the spot market.