Amid Iran war, Trump clears Russian oil waiver for India to steady oil markets

US President Donald Trump has authorised a temporary waiver allowing India to buy Russian oil, the White House said, as Washington tries to stabilise global energy supplies disrupted by the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Officials said the step was taken to ease pressure on oil markets after the war in West Asia began affecting supply chains and key shipping routes.

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the decision followed discussions between the President, the US Treasury, and national security officials.

“The President and the Secretary of the Treasury and the whole national security team came to this decision because our allies in India have been good actors and have previously stopped buying sanctioned Russian oil,” she told reporters.

She said the waiver is only temporary and is meant to bridge a short-term supply gap linked to the crisis involving Iran.

“So as we work to appease this temporary gap of oil supply around the world because of the Iranians, we have temporarily permitted them to accept that Russian oil,” Leavitt said.

The White House also noted that the shipments involved had already left port before the waiver was issued.

“This Russian oil was already at sea, it was already out on the water,” she said.

Officials added that the measure is unlikely to provide any meaningful financial benefit to Moscow.

“So this short-term measure, we don’t believe it will provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government at this time,” Leavitt said.

US campaign against Iran intensifies

The remarks came as the White House updated reporters on Operation Epic Fury, the US military campaign targeting Iran’s missile programme and naval assets.

According to Leavitt, more than 5,000 targets have been hit since the operation began ten days ago.

“More than 5000 enemy targets have been struck so far,” she said.

She added that Iran’s ability to strike back had weakened significantly.

“Iran’s ballistic missile attacks are down more than 90 per cent, and their drone attacks are down by approximately 35 per cent since the start of Operation Epic Fury,” Leavitt said.

US forces have also targeted Iran’s naval fleet.

“We have destroyed more than 50 Iranian naval vessels, including a major drone carrier ship,” she said, adding that the Iranian navy has been assessed as “combat ineffective.”

US says oil must keep flowing through Strait of Hormuz

Washington said keeping global energy routes open remains a priority.

Leavitt said President Trump had reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that oil continues to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical shipping routes for crude.

“President Trump reiterated his commitment toward keeping oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz so the United States and all of our allies can receive their energy needs,” she said.

The administration has already offered political risk insurance for tankers operating in the Gulf.

Officials also said the US Navy could escort vessels if needed to ensure the passage remains open.