US reimposes sanctions on Russian oil exports after temporary license expires

The United States has reinstated sanctions on Russian oil exports following the expiration of a temporary license that had allowed limited transactions involving Russian crude and petroleum products.

According to Lenta.ru, the latest general license permitting the transportation, sale, and unloading of Russian oil loaded onto vessels as of April 17, 2026, expired on June 17, 2026. With its expiration, restrictions on major Russian exporters have automatically returned into force.

The license had temporarily eased enforcement of sanctions introduced earlier, allowing specific oil-related transactions under defined conditions. It did not apply to operations involving entities linked to Iran, North Korea, Cuba, the Republic of Crimea, and the new regions.

The temporary suspension of restrictions was previously introduced amid instability in global energy markets following the escalation of conflict in the Middle East in late February. Reports indicate that strikes involving Israel and the United States on Iran, along with Tehran’s move to block the Strait of Hormuz, significantly disrupted global oil flows and contributed to volatility in prices.

The U.S. general license regulating Russian oil transactions is typically issued on a monthly basis. The previous authorisation expired on May 16 and was renewed only on May 18, creating a brief regulatory gap.