US eases sanctions on Russian oil

The US has temporarily eased sanctions on Russian oil amid rising tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty over global energy supplies. US authorities said the decision was taken to maintain normal fuel supplies in the global market.

The US Department of Commerce confirmed this information on Friday (Bangladesh time). According to international media reports, Russian crude oil and various petroleum products already loaded on ships have been allowed to be sold until April 11.

According to analysts, Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz after the recent conflict. This has created major uncertainty in the supply of energy to the global market. Because about 20 percent of the world's total oil supply is transported through this important sea route.

US Commerce Secretary Scott Bessent said that the President Donald Trump administration has taken this step to stabilize the global energy market and deal with a potential supply crisis. At the same time, he mentioned that the security situation in the Middle East and the context of the Iranian threat also played a role behind the decision.

The US Department of Commerce said that Russian oil and petroleum products loaded on ships until March 12 will be supplied to the world market without any restrictions until April 11. It is expected that this may temporarily reduce the pressure on global energy supplies.

It is worth noting that the United States and Western countries imposed strict sanctions on Russia's energy sector after it launched a military operation in Ukraine in 2022. However, due to the current geopolitical situation and pressure on the energy market, Washington has had to temporarily change that policy.

According to experts, if tensions in the Middle East last long and shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted, instability in the global energy market may increase further. As a result, there is a risk of its having a long-term impact on international politics and the economy.