President Trump has approved a temporary waiver allowing India to purchase Russian oil, aiming to stabilize global energy markets amid ongoing disruptions.
The White House announced that President Donald Trump has personally approved a temporary waiver permitting India to purchase Russian oil. This decision is part of a broader strategy to stabilize global energy markets, which have been disrupted by the ongoing U.S. military campaign against Iran.
According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the waiver was reached after consultations involving the President, the Treasury Department, and members of the national security team. Leavitt emphasized that India has been a responsible ally, having previously ceased purchasing sanctioned Russian oil.
“The President and the Secretary of the Treasury, along with the entire national security team, came to this decision because our allies in India have been good actors,” Leavitt stated during a press briefing. “They have previously stopped buying sanctioned Russian oil.”
The temporary measure aims to address the disruptions in global oil supply caused by the crisis surrounding Iran. Leavitt explained that the waiver allows India to accept Russian oil to help fill the gap in oil supply that has emerged due to the ongoing situation.
“As we work to address this temporary gap in oil supply around the world because of the Iranians, we have temporarily permitted them to accept that Russian oil,” she added.
Leavitt clarified that the oil shipments involved in this waiver had already been dispatched before the approval was granted. “This Russian oil was already at sea, it was already out on the water,” she noted.
The White House does not anticipate that this arrangement will provide significant financial benefits 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 remarked.
The announcement coincided with updates on Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. military campaign targeting Iran’s missile infrastructure and naval capabilities. Leavitt reported that the operation has made rapid progress since its inception ten days ago, with more than 5,000 enemy targets struck thus far.
She also indicated that Iran’s ability to retaliate has significantly diminished. “Iran’s ballistic missile attacks are down more than 90 percent, and their drone attacks are down by approximately 35 percent since the start of Operation Epic Fury,” Leavitt stated.
U.S. forces have also focused on weakening Iran’s naval capabilities. “We have destroyed more than 50 Iranian naval vessels, including a major drone carrier ship,” Leavitt said, adding that the Iranian navy has been assessed as “combat ineffective.”
The administration reaffirmed that the goals of Operation Epic Fury remain unchanged. “The stated objectives for Operation Epic Fury remain the same: destroy the terrorist regime’s ballistic missiles, raze their Iranian missile industry to the ground, ensure their terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region, and ensure that Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon,” Leavitt explained.
Additionally, the White House emphasized its commitment to maintaining the flow of energy through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping route. Leavitt noted that President Trump has reiterated his dedication to protecting these vital energy supply routes.
“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 taken steps to stabilize energy markets, including offering political risk insurance to tankers operating in the Gulf.
Officials also mentioned that the U.S. Navy could escort tankers if necessary to ensure the safety and openness of this vital waterway.
This article has been republished with permission from The Free Press Journal. Except for the headline and subtitle, it has not been edited by the India Currents team.