The United States has clarified why it temporarily "allowed" India to purchase Russian oil, describing the move as a short-term step to stabilise global crude markets amid rising tensions in West Asia.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the 30-day waiver was introduced to ensure oil supply continues flowing while markets face disruption following the conflict involving Iran.

US explains temporary measure

The waiver allowing Indian refiners to buy Russian oil was earlier announced by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. According to Wright, the move was intended to ease pressure on global oil prices by ensuring existing crude shipments quickly reach the market.

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"We have implemented short-term measures to help keep oil prices down. We are allowing our friends in India to take oil that is already on ships, refine it, and move those barrels into the market quickly. A practical way to get supply flowing and ease pressure," Wright said in a post on X.

During an interview with ABC News, Wright stressed that the decision should not be viewed as a change in Washington's broader stance on Russian energy.

"We reached out to our friends in India and said, 'Buy that oil and bring it into your refineries'," he said in the interview.

US position on Russian oil purchases

The United States has previously discouraged India from buying Russian crude. At one point, Washington had imposed a 25 per cent tariff on New Delhi over continued purchases from Moscow.

The tariff was lifted early last month after US President Donald Trump said India had agreed not to import Russian crude oil.

Why the waiver was granted now

The temporary relaxation comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions in West Asia. On February 28, the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran that resulted in the death of the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The conflict has since intensified, with retaliatory attacks affecting oil and gas infrastructure in the region.

Several energy facilities have reportedly been shut down, while the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for about one-fifth of global oil supply, has effectively become inaccessible due to security concerns.

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These disruptions have pushed global oil prices higher, prompting urgent efforts to maintain supply.

Treasury secretary on the waiver

Announcing the move, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the waiver was intended to keep oil moving in the global market.

"President (Donald) Trump's energy agenda has resulted in oil and gas production reaching the highest levels ever recorded.

To enable oil to keep flowing into the global market, the Treasury Department is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil."

"India is an essential partner of the United States, and we fully anticipate that New Delhi will ramp up purchases of US oil. This stop-gap measure will alleviate the pressure caused by Iran's attempt to take global energy hostage," Bessent said in a post on X.

He added that the measure was intentionally limited in scope.

This "deliberately short-term measure" will not provide a significant financial benefit to the Russian government, as it only authorises transactions involving oil that is already stranded at sea, Bessent said.