is beginning to have direct effects on the global energy market. The United States announced this Thursday that it will temporarily authorize the purchase of Russian oil that is already in transit, a measure aimed at containing the sharp rise in crude oil prices caused by because of the conflict with Iran.
The announcement was advanced by the US Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent, through his account on the social network X. As he explained, the decision will allow all the Russian oil that is currently loaded on ships to be sold and delivered worldwide despite the sanctions in force against Moscow.
Temporary authorization
The authorization will, however, temporal. The exemptions will be valid only until April 11.
Bessent assured that This flexibility could introduce which would help alleviate pressure on international oil prices.
A market shaken by war
The decision comes after the price of crude oil exceeded $100 per barrel in the last few hours, driven by rising tension in the Middle East.
The conflict between has altered the energy routes of the region, especially after the incidents recorded in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important strategic steps in the world oil trade.
Approximately a fifth of the crude oil consumed on the planet circulates through this maritime corridor, so any interruption causes an immediate impact on the markets.
Given this scenario, Washington has chosen to temporarily allow Russian oil that is already in transit to reach its destination, a measure that seeks to avoid an immediate shortage and stop the escalation of prices.
One more step after the exception granted to India
The decision expands a similar measure that the US Treasury took last week. Then, Washington authorized India to access for 30 days to Russian oil that remained stranded at sea due to international sanctions.
Now, the Donald Trump Administration has decided to extend this exemption globally, although it insists that it is a limited and exceptional measure.
The US Government has stressed that the temporary lifting of sanctions will not mean a significant benefit for Russiasince it only affects oil that was already loaded on ships.
Trump: “When oil goes up, we make money”
The American president himself also spoke about the situation in the energy market.
In a message published on his social network Truth Social, the president stated that the rise in the price of crude oil may end up benefiting USA.
“We are by far the largest oil producer in the world, so when oil prices rise we make a lot of money,” he wrote.
Trump also insisted that his priority remains the military campaign against Iran and the destruction of its nuclear program.
Meanwhile, rising oil prices are also having another effect: making more expensive types of extraction, such as fracking or tar sands, more profitable, especially in United States and Canada.
With the conflict Entering its thirteenth day and energy routes under pressure, markets remain attentive to any movement that could further alter the balance of global oil.
