Refiners in India, elsewhere in Asia look to buy Iranian oil after US waives sanctions - Reuters

Reuters
March 21, 2026
3 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Trump administration waives sanctions on Iranian oil, allowing Asian refiners including India to purchase Iranian crude.

How This Affects You

Increased Iranian oil exports may lower global crude prices, potentially reducing U.S. gas prices at the pump for American consumers.

AI Summary

The Trump administration has waived U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil, opening the door for refiners in India and other Asian nations to purchase crude from Iran. The move represents a significant shift in U.S. energy policy, as the previous approach had sought to isolate Iranian oil from global markets through strict sanctions enforcement. Asian refiners, particularly in India, have long relied on Iranian crude as a cost-competitive source and had been restricted from buying it; this waiver effectively lifts those restrictions. The decision could increase Iran's oil export revenues and reshape regional energy dynamics, while giving Asian buyers access to a major supplier they had previously been forced to avoid. The move signals the Trump administration's willingness to adjust sanctions policy in ways that may benefit U.S. energy and geopolitical interests.

Source Coverage Map

12 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

28% coverage
Did Not Cover (31)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP News96AP US News96ProPublica95+26 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Other Sources Covering This Story

5 sources

Multiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Japan to release oil stocks as US says buy American - Reuters
Global

Japan to release oil stocks as US says buy American - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMingFBVV95cUxQc184dWNEaWxrZWJ2bTVqcXZEcDNlLV94RWRHZUVMQzVYalZmdTh2WVVZNVhlMXZHc1BacUpyNktJbkpTWC1laXpHYThhUm1ubFBhdXQtdnFmTXRtaGhRTnNyTDBMZ2h2T0JDR3FpXzkwT2pFRHU1NVZ4MDdBZmtWa3l5QTd3dWFyUXJuNFdiZEhpamEzZ3hMUW9GN1NaZw?oc=5" target="_blank">Japan to release oil stocks as US says buy American</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersMar 15
Asia scrambles to conserve energy as Iran war disrupts oil and gas supplies - AP News
Global

Asia scrambles to conserve energy as Iran war disrupts oil and gas supplies - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimwFBVV95cUxQYkdLNmh2NHhPbnJxaHFOaXpMSnE4NkFDSFNvQ1FtN0NXTHdDM0xRYkZXRGFINmh1SlYtVS15WjhhRjJqemN5TTQ3MDd0d1psVDlCX3FhNE9YUG10bGZRaDB6Q1ZYQW9PX0p3WEgyNU4zM2FXa01RZkJGdjNCam1kY0l4cTMxTURkV2drZmJHei1WV3NMcUQ2bml5TQ?oc=5" target="_blank">Asia scrambles to conserve energy as Iran war disrupts oil and gas supplies</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 19
US may remove sanctions on Iranian oil stranded in tankers, treasury secretary says
Politics

US may remove sanctions on Iranian oil stranded in tankers, treasury secretary says

<p>US treasury secretary says actions will increase oil supply and bring down prices, but long-term effects in question</p><p>The US may soon remove sanctions on Iranian oil stranded on tankers at sea, the treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, said on Thursday as Washington seeks to curb prices soaring over Iran’s closure of the strait of Hormuz.</p><p>“In the coming days, we may un-sanction the Iranian oil that’s on the water. It’s about 140m barrels,” Bessent said during an appearance on Fox Business Network’s Mornings with Maria.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/19/us-sanctions-iranian-oil-hormuz">Continue reading...</a>

The Guardian US NewsMar 20
Israel says Haifa oil refinery hit in Iranian missile attack - Al Jazeera
Global

Israel says Haifa oil refinery hit in Iranian missile attack - Al Jazeera

Al JazeeraMar 19
Iran War Fallout: Southeast Asia Hard Hit by Skyrocketing Fuel Prices
Global

Iran War Fallout: Southeast Asia Hard Hit by Skyrocketing Fuel Prices

Across Southeast Asia, a region heavily dependent on energy exports brought via the Strait of Hormuz, lives are being upended by higher oil and gas prices.

New York TimesMar 20
Netanyahu wants oil, gas to flow through Israel post-Iran war - Reuters
Global

Netanyahu wants oil, gas to flow through Israel post-Iran war - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitgFBVV95cUxPcjM0WU91Qk16Zk5CZjFNTHRQYUJLYm5lMHEtcW8tWTlWcVFDV3RCSko5bHo0S3BRLXJvdHlObGF6UmxnQkNhejJfajIwdEF3bWhGUTYybWx1aExDMV9Xb3VoRk1YaXdGaXk5RlBQUEE1RmN5WEt1QjdBTU5QREtDamhCSXBrNmYxMUVQOENscERVNTZvSUdGQUF3dFd2VVlVRkxOUjdlVUh5U0s4d1VORlNTNC1VQQ?oc=5" target="_blank">Netanyahu wants oil, gas to flow through Israel post-Iran war</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersMar 19
Read Next
US considers lifting sanctions on some Iranian oil
Global

US considers lifting sanctions on some Iranian oil

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent broached waiving sanctions on oil already at sea, which would be a stunning reversal of longstanding American policy.

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources