<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Washington, The White House said that President Donald Trump personally approved a temporary waiver allowing India to purchase Russian oil as part of a broader effort to stabilise global energy markets amid disruptions caused by the ongoing US military campaign against Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The decision was taken after consultations between the President, the Treasury Department, and members of the national security team, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe President and the Secretary of the Treasury and the whole national security team came to this decision because our allies in India have been good actors and have previously stopped buying sanctioned Russian oil,\u201d Leavitt told reporters in response to a question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said the temporary measure was meant to address disruptions in global oil supply triggered by the crisis surrounding Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo as we work to appease this temporary gap of oil supply around the world because of the Iranians, we have temporarily permitted them to accept that Russian oil,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leavitt noted that the shipments involved had already been dispatched before the waiver was granted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis Russian oil was already at sea, it was already out on the water,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the White House, the administration does not expect the arrangement to significantly benefit Moscow financially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo this short-term measure, we don’t believe it will provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government at this time,\u201d Leavitt said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The remarks came as the White House provided updates on Operation Epic Fury, the US military campaign targeting Iran\u2019s missile infrastructure and naval capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leavitt said the operation had achieved rapid progress since it began ten days ago. \u201cMore than 5000 enemy targets have been struck so far,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She added that Iran\u2019s ability to retaliate had sharply declined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIran’s ballistic missile attacks are down more than 90 per cent, and their drone attacks are down by approximately 35 per cent since the start of Operation Epic Fury,\u201d Leavitt said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
US forces have also targeted Iran\u2019s naval assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have destroyed more than 50 Iranian naval vessels, including a major drone carrier ship,\u201d she said, adding that the Iranian navy has been assessed as \u201ccombat ineffective.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The administration said the operation\u2019s goals remain unchanged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe stated objectives for Operation Epic Fury remain the same: destroy the terrorist regime’s ballistic missiles, raise their Iranian missile industry to the ground, ensure their terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region, and ensure that Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon,\u201d Leavitt said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The White House also stressed that the United States would ensure the continued flow of energy through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world\u2019s most critical oil shipping routes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leavitt said President Trump had reiterated his commitment to protecting energy supply routes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPresident Trump reiterated his commitment toward keeping oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz so the United States and all of our allies can receive their energy needs,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She added that the administration had already taken steps to stabilise energy markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThus far, the Trump administration has offered political risk insurance to tankers operating in the Gulf,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Officials also said the US Navy could escort tankers if necessary to keep the vital waterway open.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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