In a limited and time-bound move, the US has eased sanctions to allow the sale and delivery of Iranian-origin crude oil and petroleum products already loaded on vessels before March 20.The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued “General Licence U” on Friday, authorising transactions related to such cargo until April 19. The decision provides temporary relief for shipments stranded or in transit amid the sanctions regime.The licence permits activities ordinarily required to complete the sale, delivery or offloading of these oil consignments. This includes safe docking, crew-related services, emergency repairs, environmental protection measures and essential maritime services such as insurance, bunkering and vessel management.Significantly, the authorisation also allows the import of such Iranian-origin oil into the US, provided it is part of transactions covered under the licence.However, the Treasury maintained key restrictions. The authorisation excludes any dealings involving entities linked to North Korea, Cuba, or certain regions of Ukraine under existing sanctions frameworks. It also does not override prohibitions under other applicable executive orders or sanctions regulations.The move is seen as a logistical and compliance measure aimed at clearing oil cargoes already in circulation rather than signalling a broader shift in US policy towards Iran.The licence was issued under multiple sanctions frameworks targeting Iran’s energy, financial and defence sectors, as well as counter-terrorism and non-proliferation regulations.Officials indicated the step was intended to prevent disruptions related to stranded shipments while maintaining the overall sanctions architecture against Tehran.