Did Trump relieve sanctions on Russia to enable Russian oil tankers to deliver to India?

 

Yes, as of March 2026, the 

Trump

 administration has temporarily eased sanctions to allow 

India

 to purchase Russian oil. This was achieved through a series of specific 30-day waivers intended to stabilize global energy markets during the ongoing conflict with Iran. 

Key Actions and Details

• India-Specific Waiver: On March 5, 2026, the U.S. Treasury issued a 30-day waiver specifically for India, allowing its refiners to buy Russian crude oil that was already loaded on tankers and "stranded at sea".
• Broader General License: Following the India-specific move, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a broader license on March 12, 2026, authorizing any country to purchase Russian oil loaded on vessels on or before March 12.
• Rationale: The administration stated these were "narrowly tailored, short-term measures" to prevent a global supply crunch and lower energy prices as conflict in the Middle East disrupted traditional shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz.
• Scope of Relief: The waiver specifically applies to oil already in transit (estimated at over 120 million barrels) and includes authorization for supporting activities like safe docking, insurance, and emergency repairs.
• Duration: These current exemptions are scheduled to remain in effect until April 11, 2026. 

Policy Context

• Previous Pressure: Prior to these waivers, the Trump administration had heavily pressured India to stop buying Russian oil, even imposing tariffs on Indian goods in 2025 to discourage the trade.
• Trade Agreements: In February 2026, India had reportedly agreed to reduce Russian oil imports in exchange for a trade deal with the U.S., but the energy crisis triggered by the Iran war forced a temporary reversal of this policy. 

MAP -- Where most of Africa lives

What tankers are now going thru the Strait of Hormuz?

 

As of March 12, 2026, the 

Strait of Hormuz

 is effectively closed to most commercial traffic following Iran's official declaration of closure in early March. While overall tanker transits have collapsed by approximately 92%, a small number of vessels continue to attempt the crossing, primarily those with ties to Iran, China, or the "shadow fleet". 

Vessels Currently Transiting or Recently Spotted 

Despite the near-total shutdown, the following tankers have been identified in or near the strait within the last 24–48 hours:

• Shenlong: A Liberia-flagged tanker carrying Saudi crude was recently permitted to pass through the strait toward Indian waters.
• Pushpak: A petroleum product tanker that departed an Iraqi port and successfully exited the Gulf on Thursday evening.
• Danuta I: A 225-meter natural gas carrier currently under U.S. sanctions, which crossed the strait at dawn on Friday.
• Cuma: A U.S.-sanctioned crude oil tanker that sailed from Iran earlier this week.
• Heilan Journey: A Chinese cargo ship recorded as transiting the strait on Wednesday morning.
• Kavomaleas: A tanker that moved through the strait under a partial Automatic Identification System (AIS) blackout between March 3 and March 4. 

Recent Attacks and Targeted Vessels

Several tankers that attempted transit or were in nearby waters have come under attack as Iran stepped up its targeting of non-authorized ships: 

• Safesea Vishnu: A Marshall Islands-flagged tanker owned by a U.S.-based group, set ablaze by explosive-laden boats during a ship-to-ship transfer in Iraqi waters.
• Zefyros: A Malta-flagged tanker attacked alongside the Safesea Vishnu while transferring fuel.
• Mayuree Naree: A Thai-flagged bulk carrier hit by a projectile 11 nautical miles north of Oman on Wednesday, causing a major engine room fire.
• Source Blessing: A Hapag-Lloyd chartered vessel struck by projectile shrapnel on Thursday morning. 

Transit Strategies and Conditions

• Shadow Fleet Dominance: Of the 13 large carriers that crossed between March 2 and March 9, eight were identified by Lloyd’s List Intelligence as "shadow fleet" vessels carrying sanctioned cargo from Iran, Russia, or Venezuela.
• "Going Dark": Many vessels have switched off their AIS transponders to perform "dark transits" and avoid detection.
• China-Linked Signaling: Multiple vessels are broadcasting messages like "CHINA OWNER" or "CHINA CREW" in their AIS data to signal neutrality and reduce the risk of being targeted.
• Vessels Stranded: More than 400 tankers remain anchored or stranded within the Persian Gulf as of late last week, unable to secure permission or insurance for safe transit. 

Operation True Promise

 

Operation True Promise (Persian: وعده صادק) refers to a series of direct military strikes conducted by Iran against Israel and its allies. Initially launched in April 2024, the campaign has evolved through multiple phases, most recently escalating into a major regional conflict in early 2026. 

Summary of Operations

• Operation True Promise I (April 13–14, 2024): Iran's first direct attack on Israel, launched in retaliation for an Israeli strike on the Iranian embassy in Damascus. It involved approximately 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles, and 120 ballistic missiles.
• Operation True Promise II (October 1, 2024): An escalation involving nearly 200 ballistic missiles launched following the assassinations of high-ranking Hezbollah and Hamas leaders.
• Operation True Promise III (June 2025): Conducted during the "Twelve-Day War" in response to Israel's "Operation Rising Lion". This phase utilized advanced hypersonic missiles like the Fattah-1 and electronic warfare to challenge Israeli air defenses.
• Operation True Promise IV (February–March 2026): The current and most expansive phase, launched following joint US-Israel strikes on Iranian territory that reportedly resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. 

Current Status: Operation True Promise IV (March 2026) 

As of March 11, 2026, the operation is in its 39th wave of attacks. Under the new leadership of Mojtaba Khamenei, the IRGC has expanded its targets to include US military assets across the region. 

Key Feature	Details
New Strategy	Direct regional expansion, targeting US bases in Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, and Kuwait in addition to Israel.
Weaponry Used	Heavy ballistic missiles (Khorramshahr, Qadr, Emad) and 1-ton warheads designed to penetrate reinforced infrastructure.
Recent Targets	Tel Aviv government complex, Haifa fuel facilities, US Navy Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain, and the Al-Minhad Air Base in the UAE.
Casualties/Damage	Extensive damage to regional infrastructure; hundreds of civilian casualties reported in Iran from initial US-Israel strikes.

Strategic Impact

The "True Promise" series marks a definitive shift from proxy warfare to direct state-on-state conflict. Iran has utilized "saturation tactics" to overwhelm the Iron Dome and other multi-layered defense systems, with some reports claiming interception rates dropped significantly during the most intense waves.