US eases sanctions on Iranian oil at sea to curb price surge

The US Treasury temporarily lifts sanctions on Iranian crude oil in transit for about a month via a General License, allowing purchases of Iranian oil already loaded on ships until April 19 in an effort to cool soaring global oil prices. Officials describe the move as narrowly tailored and limited to oil in transit, with no relief for new Iranian production; the decision comes amid regional conflict and ongoing volatility in energy markets tied to the Strait of Hormuz and middle‑east attacks.