Washington considers easing oil sanctions: what is known about Trump’s conversation with Putin
10 March 08:32
US President Donald Trump said he had a “very good conversation” with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. Trump made this statement during a press conference, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
According to Trump, during the conversation, the parties discussed:
- Russia’s war against Ukraine
- the conflict in the Middle East
At the same time, he noted that there is “enormous hatred” between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which complicates negotiations.
Despite this, Trump called the conversation with the Russian leader “positive.”
Putin offers help with the Middle East
According to Trump, Putin expressed his willingness to help resolve the conflict in the Middle East.
The US president replied that it would be more helpful to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.
“You could be more helpful if you ended the war between Ukraine and Russia,” Trump said, describing his response.
The US may ease oil sanctions
Trump also said that the US is considering partially lifting oil-related sanctions to curb rising global prices.
“We have sanctions against some countries, but we are temporarily lifting them until the situation stabilizes. Then, who knows, maybe we won’t have to reimpose them because there will be so much peace,” Trump said.
He said that other countries are suffering more than the US due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of global oil exports are transported. Therefore, Trump said that the US will offer political insurance against risks for tankers in the Persian Gulf.
“When the time comes, the US Navy and partners will escort tankers through the strait if necessary. I hope this will not be necessary,” Trump said. He also threatened Iran in case of a threat to ships.
Trump assured that although oil prices have jumped now, in the long term, the operation against Iran should lower them.
He did not specify which countries might be affected by this decision.
Earlier, Reuters reported that the US administration was considering easing sanctions against Russia in the energy sector to stabilize the oil market amid hostilities in the Middle East.
Prior to this, the US Treasury Department granted India a temporary 30-day permit to purchase Russian oil.
Oil prices rise again
Against the backdrop of escalation in the Middle East, global oil prices have risen sharply.
On March 9, they exceeded $100 per barrel for the first time in almost four years.
The increase is linked to hostilities in the region, which pose risks to energy supplies.
Separately, Trump commented on reports of a strike on a school in the southern Iranian city of Minab.
Journalists from The New York Times suggested that a Tomahawk cruise missile, an American subsonic long-range winged missile, may have been used in the attack.
Trump said he had not seen this information, but stressed that other countries also use such missiles.
What happened in Minab
Iranian authorities reported an airstrike on a girls’ elementary school in Minab.
According to preliminary data:
- more than 100 people were killed
- dozens were injured
The semi-official Iranian news agency Mehr News Agency published a video which, according to them, shows a missile strike on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval base located next to the school.
Pentagon investigation
According to media reports, American investigators believe that an American missile may have accidentally hit the school during a strike on a military facility.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hagseth said the Pentagon is investigating the incident.
At the same time, he stressed that, according to US estimates, Iran also attacks civilian targets, and the circumstances of the strike have yet to be determined.
Geography of the strikes
According to media reports, US and Israeli forces divided up the areas of attack during the operation in Iran.
The southern regions of the country, where Minab is located, were mainly in the US zone of operations, which was one of the reasons for suspicions about the origin of the missile.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
