TREASURY in the news: Mexico, Iran, Russia oil; sanctions and waivers drive global fuel and finance moves. Dept run by the Sec. of the Treasury, a U.S. Cabinet agency.
Global markets have been volatile amid Iran’s actions around the Strait of Hormuz. Investors are calling for caution as energy costs rise and Treasury yields trend higher amid inflation fears.
As of mid-March 2026, Iran exerts selective control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime chokepoint through which 20% of global oil passes daily. Since the US-Israel strikes on February 28, multiple attacks on vessels have disrupted traffic, causing tanker flows to collapse by over 90%. Iran allows limited passage to allies via negotiated safe corridors, while many ships transit with tracking systems off. The US has deployed Marines and threatens military action if Iran mines the strait.
The US has extended a temporary waiver allowing India to buy Russian oil loaded before March 5, as global energy markets face turmoil from Middle East conflicts and Strait of Hormuz closure. The move aims to stabilize prices but raises concerns over sanctions and geopolitical risks.
Recent US sanctions easing and the Iran war have temporarily increased Russia's oil revenues. The US allowed India to buy Russian oil for a month, while sanctions on Russian tankers and exports continue to be challenged. The conflict's duration will determine long-term impacts on Russia's economy.
On March 12, 2026, the US Treasury issued a 30-day waiver allowing countries to buy Russian oil already at sea to stabilize global energy markets disrupted by the Iran conflict. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the measure's limited benefit to Russia, applying only to oil in transit. This follows a similar waiver for India amid soaring oil prices and geopolitical tensions.
The US has granted a 30-day waiver allowing countries to buy Russian crude stranded at sea, aiming to stabilize energy markets. Experts warn this move benefits Moscow financially, potentially boosting its war efforts and reversing recent declines in Russian energy revenues, despite US claims of limited benefit.
In early April 2026, Russia delivered two oil shipments to Cuba, breaking a US-imposed oil blockade that began in January after the US captured Venezuela's president. The first Russian tanker docked at Matanzas port carrying about 730,000 barrels of crude oil, providing temporary relief to Cuba's energy crisis. The US allowed the deliveries for humanitarian reasons despite ongoing sanctions and threats.
Global markets are reacting to ongoing Iran-U.S. tensions and recent attacks on energy infrastructure. Stock indices in Asia rose, while oil prices experienced volatility, reflecting fears of supply disruptions and potential de-escalation efforts. The situation remains fluid as diplomatic talks continue.
On March 19-20, 2026, the US Treasury announced plans to temporarily lift sanctions on approximately 140 million barrels of Iranian oil stranded at sea. This move aims to increase global oil supply and reduce soaring prices caused by Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing conflict. The waiver would allow sales mainly to markets beyond China for 10-14 days, while the US also plans additional releases from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
The Philippines has received a tanker carrying Russian crude oil, marking its first purchase in five years. This comes as the country faces a national energy emergency, with limited fuel supplies and increased reliance on Russian imports authorized by U.S. sanctions waivers. The move reflects shifting regional energy sourcing amid global disruptions.
In a historic move, President Trump will have his signature on US dollar bills for the first time, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of American independence. The change reflects his influence on national institutions and is part of broader efforts to mark his legacy, including new military ships and cultural renamings.
The US has removed sanctions from Venezuelan official Rodriguez, signaling improved relations. She is now recognized as Venezuela's interim leader, and US-Venezuela diplomatic ties are being restored, including reopening the US embassy after seven years. The move follows the US military operation that detained Maduro and his wife in January.
FIFA officials have confirmed Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup in the US, despite ongoing regional conflicts and political tensions. FIFA's president has emphasized the importance of sports outside politics, as Iran's team prepares for matches in Los Angeles and Seattle amid diplomatic uncertainties.
The US has announced new sanctions aimed at Iran's oil shipping sector, targeting a network linked to Iranian oil magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani. The move is part of ongoing efforts to pressure Tehran amid tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's regional activities. These sanctions also target individuals connected to money laundering and Hezbollah financing. The measures come as the US seeks to limit Iran's revenue streams and influence in the region. Today’s date is Thu, 16 Apr 2026.
The US Treasury has extended a 30-day waiver allowing the purchase of Russian oil loaded onto ships by April 24, aiming to stabilize global energy markets amid the US-Israeli war on Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the US has ended the waiver for Iranian oil, enforcing a blockade that will force Iran to shutter production soon.
The US has renewed a 30-day license allowing Russian oil shipments to bypass sanctions, citing Iran war impacts. The move highlights Moscow's increased energy profits, with the administration stating it will not renew these licenses beyond the current period. The reversal remains unexplained publicly.
China has expanded its legal and regulatory toolkit to deter supply-chain shifts away from the country, publishing new rules and measures that could punish foreign entities moving production elsewhere. The moves come as Beijing seeks to strengthen leverage before a mid-May Xi-Trump summit and amidst a fragile bilateral truce.
The U.S. government has launched a crackdown on online scam centers across Southeast Asia, sanctioning a Cambodian senator and 28 others for operating fraud networks that target Americans. The operation includes seizing assets, shutting down online channels, and seeking extraditions of Chinese nationals involved in cryptocurrency scams. The effort aims to dismantle illicit operations linked to human trafficking and cybercrime.
The US has intensified its naval blockade against Iran, seizing an Iranian cargo ship attempting to bypass the blockade near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran condemns the action as piracy and vows retaliation. The incident occurs as the US and Iran face a fragile ceasefire and ongoing negotiations, with global oil markets reacting sharply.
The United States has said it does not want destabilizing events around Taiwan. Rubio has noted a topic of conversation with Taiwan will continue, and both nations understand stability is in their interests. Trump is set to visit Beijing in mid-May as Beijing maintains Taiwan is a core concern in its relations with Washington.
The United States has issued sanctions targeting IRGC-linked oil sales networks and front companies as it presses Tehran over its nuclear and regional activities. The move comes ahead of a high-stakes meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping and follows a broader push to disrupt Tehran’s oil trade and its drone program.
The U.S. and China have opened a 36-hour summit with talks focused on tariffs, Taiwan, and Tehran’s oil sales, but no substantive agreements have emerged. The Iran conflict continues to shape energy markets and global inflation, limiting any immediate market relief.
The US Treasury has listed UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese under an "International Criminal Court-related Designation Removal" after a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking earlier sanctions. The Trump administration has appealed and the State Department has said it intends to restore her designation if the court reverses the injunction.
The United States has broadened sanctions on Iran, designating Amin Exchange and a network of front companies, while blocking vessels tied to Iranian petroleum and petrochemicals. The action follows Iran’s peace proposals to end hostilities and signals a broader push to disrupt Tehran’s shadow banking and sanctions-evasion networks amid the U.S.-Israel war.
The United States has designated sitting Lebanese security officials and key Hezbollah-aligned figures for obstructing Lebanon’s path to disarmament as Israeli-Lebanese tensions persist. The sanctions accompany ongoing talks in Washington on disarming the militant group amid renewed cross-border clashes.
The United States has reimposed sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, after briefly lifting them following a court injunction. The move comes after a judge blocked the measures on free-speech grounds and an appeals court stayed that ruling, allowing designation to be enforced once more.