Bessent says US may lift sanctions on Iranian oil stuck at sea

The Hill
by Sarah Davis
March 19, 2026
3 min read

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Treasury Secretary signals U.S. may lift sanctions on Iranian oil at sea to ease energy prices.

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. may lift sanctions on Iranian oil currently at sea, a move aimed at easing energy prices as U.S. military operations in the Middle East persist. The potential relief could free approximately 140 million barrels of Iranian crude that are already in transit. The Trump administration faces pressure to manage global oil markets amid heightened regional tensions and their inflationary effects on U.S. consumers. Any sanctions lift would mark a significant shift in Trump's Iran policy, which has historically favored strict enforcement. Bessent's comments suggest the White House is weighing energy market stability against its broader strategic goals in the region.

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