The United States has defended its decision to grant India a temporary waiver allowing the continued purchase of Russian oil, as global energy markets face mounting pressure from the escalating conflict in the Middle East. With oil prices surging and fears of supply disruptions growing, Washington says the move is intended to stabilize global markets rather than weaken its sanctions regime against Moscow.

Senior US officials argue that the 30-day waiver will help ease immediate supply concerns by allowing millions of barrels of Russian crude currently stranded on tankers at sea to reach Indian refineries. The decision comes at a time when the war involving Iran has already triggered sharp volatility in global energy prices and raised concerns about possible shortages.

Speaking in an interview with Fox News on March 8, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright explained that the waiver is meant to prevent a supply shock during a period of heightened geopolitical tensions. According to Wright, Washington has encouraged New Delhi to purchase Russian oil that is already loaded onto ships and redirect those shipments to India’s refining sector.

He said the move could help “tamp down” fears of immediate supply shortages in global markets by ensuring that existing cargoes are processed rather than left floating at sea amid sanctions uncertainty.

The White House has framed the waiver as a practical step to manage a short-term imbalance in the oil market rather than a broader policy shift toward Russia. The waiver allows Indian refiners to continue accepting cargoes that were already in transit while global energy markets adjust to disruptions linked to the Middle East crisis.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz echoed that explanation during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” He said the temporary pause in sanctions enforcement was designed specifically to clear existing oil........

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