The war has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important oil route, since the end of February and cut exports from OPEC+ members Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait and Iraq.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the Iranian oil waiver as a 'narrowly tailored, short-term authorization permitting the sale of Iranian oil currently stranded at sea,' which is expected to release about 140 million barrels. He emphasized that Iran 'will have difficulty accessing any revenue generated.'