US Temporarily Allows Sale of Russian Oil Amid Escalating Middle East Conflict

The United States has temporarily permitted the sale of Russian oil already in transit, according to a treasury department notice issued on Friday. This comes as energy prices surged following US-Israeli strikes on Iran that pushed the Middle East into war.The treasury granted a license allowing transactions involving Russian crude oil and petroleum products loaded onto vessels on or before 12.01am on March 12, with the authorization remaining in effect until April 11.Oil prices surged, with Brent crude closing above $100 a barrel for the first time since August 2022, after Iran vowed the United States would “regret” launching military action against it.Brent crude rose 9.2 per cent to settle at $100.46 a barrel, while the US benchmark, West Texas Intermediate, jumped 9.7 per cent to $95.73.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Saudi intercepts drone headed to Shaybah oil field; Israeli strikes 10 Hezbollah targets in Beirut'Legitimate targets': Iran issues warning to US tech firms including Google, Amazon, Microsoft, NvidiaSafe Passage For Indian Vessels: Iran clears Indian-flagged ships in Hormuz; US, Europe, Israel face curbsEquity markets slipped as concerns mounted over a prolonged Middle East conflict. US and Israeli strikes on Iran continued, while Tehran’s retaliation effectively halted most trade through the Strait of Hormuz.Investors also found little reassurance in US President Donald Trump’s statement that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon was a greater priority for him than keeping oil prices under control.