The United States issued a 30-day permit to buy Russian crude oil and petroleum products at sea, with the aim of alleviating rising fuel prices due to the conflict with Iran. The measure extends the previous exception that had applied only to India.

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

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

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