US may remove sanctions on Iranian oil stranded in tankers, Bessent says - Reuters

Treasury Secretary Russell Bessent said the Trump administration is considering removing sanctions on Iranian oil currently held in tankers, signaling a potential shift in the administration's approach to Iran policy. The oil in question has been stranded offshore due to longstanding U.S. sanctions that prohibit most transactions involving Iranian petroleum. This move would represent a significant departure from the Trump administration's broader "maximum pressure" stance toward Iran and could ease global energy markets by freeing up additional crude supplies. The decision reflects ongoing negotiations and strategic calculations about U.S. interests in the Middle East, energy prices, and potential diplomatic pathways. Any removal of sanctions would require formal action and could trigger pushback from Republican lawmakers who have traditionally supported strict Iran penalties.