Trump Administration Extends Russian Oil Waivers Amid Iran Conflict

The United States Department of the Treasury issued a 30-day emergency waiver on April 17, 2026, allowing the maritime purchase of Russian crude oil and petroleum products until May 16. This decision, authorized by the Trump administration under General License No. 134B, reverses an April 15 announcement by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who had previously stated that the government would not renew sanctions exemptions for Russian and Iranian oil.

Washington implemented the policy shift to stabilize skyrocketing energy prices and ensure fuel availability following a seven-week conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. The conflict caused damage to over 80 energy facilities in the Middle East and led to the virtual closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The waiver allows countries, including major importers like India, Indonesia, and Malaysia, to secure alternative energy supplies while the U.S. maintains a blockade of Iranian ports until a nuclear program deal is reached.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, condemned the extension, arguing it provides Russia with an estimated $10 billion to fund military strikes against Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian officials noted that Russia uses a shadow fleet of over 110 tankers to maintain exports. U.S. Democrats also criticized the move as a lifeline for Moscow, with some lawmakers introducing a bill to terminate the waivers. Conversely, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described Russia as a responsible player in energy markets, asserting that Russian volumes are too vital for the global economy to ignore.