The United States issued a 30-day license for the purchase of Russian crude oil and petroleum products at sea, to ease rising fuel prices due to the conflict with Iran. The measure extends the previous exemption that applied only to India.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called the decision "a narrowly tailored short-term measure" that "applies only to oil already in transit and will not bring significant financial revenue to the Russian government." The license covers shipments loaded before March 12 and is valid until April 11.

The decision follows a day after Brent oil prices surpassed $100 per barrel - the highest level in nearly four years. Developed nations organized within the International Energy Agency simultaneously agreed to release 400 million barrels from strategic reserves.

Analysts warn the measure is only a temporary solution - an estimated 125 to 150 million barrels of Russian oil are at sea, but their distribution limits the real market effect. Brent crude remained above $100 even after the exemption was announced.