Overview
- Treasury posted a general license allowing the sale of Iranian crude and petroleum products already loaded on vessels through April 19.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the move could free roughly 140 million barrels to help ease price spikes above $100.
- U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz said cargoes previously headed largely to China could be redirected to other countries with banking sanctions still in place.
- Iran’s Oil Ministry spokesperson Saman Ghodousi denied having oil on the water and called U.S. claims a psychological ploy.
- PressTV highlighted attacks on regional energy infrastructure and effective disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz as analysts warned relief may be limited until shipping flows improve.