Washington, March 19 (SANA) – US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington may consider lifting sanctions on Iranian oil shipments currently stored in tankers, as energy prices surge amid the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Speaking to AFP, Bessent added that the US administration could also release additional volumes from its strategic petroleum reserves to help stabilize markets.
His remarks come as global oil and gas prices rise following Iranian attacks on energy infrastructure, including a major liquefied natural gas facility in Qatar, and threats targeting regional energy assets.
The ongoing US-Israeli-Iranian conflict, which began on February 28, along with disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz—through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass—has triggered significant volatility in energy markets.
Brent crude prices surged by around 10% earlier on Thursday before easing to a gain of about 5%, reaching $112.76 per barrel. The developments follow earlier US measures allowing limited sales of sanctioned Russian oil held at sea, reflecting efforts to ease global supply pressures.
Kh.A
