The United States did not extend a sanctions exemption that had allowed the sale of some Russian oil, stepping back from a contentious plan to try and contain global crude prices that was also providing an economic windfall to Moscow.

The Trump administration temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian oil “stranded at sea” Thursday in an effort to contain skyrocketing energy prices due to Iranian threats against tanker ships.

Oil prices spiked above $100 a barrel amid the ongoing Iran conflict and supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. On Friday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a temporary lifting of sanctions on Russian oil,

Trump's announcement raises questions about U.S. plans to waive sanctions on Russian oil, after the temporary waiver officially expired April 11.

Moscow on Friday urged the United States to lift more sanctions on its oil exports to stabilise the global energy markets, upended by the war in the Middle East.

The United States had previously eased sanctions on Russian oil, and on Friday it issued a general license permitting the sale of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products loaded on ships from March 20 to April 19, according to the license published on the Treasury Department’s website.