US Grants 30-Day Waiver Allowing India to Receive Russian Oil Already at Sea Amid Iran Tensions.
New York/Washington:
The United States has issued a temporary 30-day waiver permitting Indian refiners to receive Russian crude oil that was already loaded onto vessels, a move aimed at stabilizing global energy markets as tensions escalate with Iran.
The announcement was made Thursday by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said the short-term measure is intended to ensure uninterrupted oil flows into global markets without providing meaningful financial gains to Russia.
According to Bessent, the waiver is a “deliberately short-term” step that only allows transactions involving Russian crude that had already been loaded on ships before March 5, 2026, and which is currently stranded at sea due to sanctions and trade restrictions.
“To enable oil to keep flowing into the global market, the Treasury Department is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver allowing Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil,” Bessent said in a post on X.
Limited Authorization for Existing Shipments
The waiver authorizes transactions related to the sale, delivery, or offloading of Russian-origin crude and petroleum products that were loaded onto vessels on or before 12:01 a.m. EST on March 5, 2026.
These shipments must be delivered to ports in India and purchased by entities incorporated under Indian law. The authorization will remain in effect until 12:01 a.m. EDT on April 4, 2026, according to a general license issued by the United States Department of the Treasury.
However, the license does not permit any new purchases of Russian oil beyond the shipments already in transit. It also does not allow transactions involving Iran or Iranian-origin goods, which remain restricted under existing US sanctions.
Part of Wider Energy Strategy
The decision comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions and concerns that the conflict involving Iran could disrupt global energy supplies.
Bessent emphasized that India remains an important strategic partner for Washington, adding that the US expects New Delhi to increase purchases of American energy in the future.
“India is an essential partner of the United States, and we fully anticipate that New Delhi will ramp up purchases of US oil,” he said, adding that the waiver would help relieve pressure caused by Iran’s attempts to disrupt global energy flows.
Background: Tariffs and Trade Deal
Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump had imposed 25 percent punitive tariffs on India over its continued imports of discounted Russian crude, arguing that such purchases indirectly supported Russia’s war in Ukraine.
However, last month the two countries reached a framework for an interim trade agreement, after which Trump issued an executive order removing the tariffs. The move followed a commitment from New Delhi to gradually reduce its dependence on Russian energy and increase imports of US oil and gas.
Safeguards in the Waiver
The Treasury Department clarified that the authorization only covers logistical and financial transactions necessary to deliver oil already loaded onto vessels and does not override other sanctions.
Specifically, the waiver does not permit any activity involving Iran, the Iranian government, or Iranian goods and services under US sanctions regulations.
Implications
Energy analysts say the measure is intended to prevent supply disruptions and price volatility while maintaining pressure on Russia’s energy revenues.
For India, one of the world’s largest oil importers, the waiver ensures that cargoes already purchased and shipped will not be stranded, while giving the government time to adjust its energy sourcing strategy.
