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US is letting Iran continue to ship its oil, says Bessent

Scott Bessent says the United States is allowing Iran to continue exporting oil through the Strait of Hormuz despite the war, as global crude prices surge above $100.
March 16, 2026 / 22:55 IST
US allows Iran oil shipments amid war

The US is letting Iran continue to ship its oil via the Strait of Hormuz, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC on Monday.

“The Iranian ships have ​been getting out already, and we’ve let that ​happen to supply the rest of the world,” he was reported as saying.

The Iran war is causing unprecedented turmoil in oil markets as traffic through the critical waterway — the export route for about a fifth of global supplies — remains almost halted. Benchmark Brent crude is trading above $100 a barrel for a third day following its most volatile week on record. Prices are up about 40% since the conflict began.

Asked if there were ​any ⁠tools the Trump administration would use to mitigate higher oil prices — beyond the release of emergency reserves — Bessent said it would depend on how long ​the war lasts, according to CNBC.

Bloomberg
first published: Mar 16, 2026 10:55 pm

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