The United States has quietly renewed a sanctions waiver on Russian oil, just days after insisting it would not grant any further relief. As oil markets reel from tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and the Iran conflict, the Trump administration has now allowed a limited window for countries to keep buying Russian crude already at sea. The move marks a sharp shift from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s earlier pledge of “no more waivers,” raising questions over whether energy pressure and ally demands are forcing Washington into backdoor concessions. Critics warn the renewed waiver risks funnelling fresh revenue to Moscow even as the U.S. maintains its war‑time sanctions narrative. Supporters argue it is a technical step to prevent sudden supply shocks and price spikes. With Ukraine alarmed over any easing of pressure on Russia, and Iran still under tougher rhetoric, Washington’s double‑track oil policy is back in the spotlight. Is this about energy security, or a quiet geopolitical climbdown?