US extends waiver on Russian oil sanctions to ease Iran war shortages despite Bessent denial

Claims supported by this source

1. analysisdocumented

   General License 134B temporarily relaxed transaction prohibitions for a bounded class of Russian-origin cargoes through May 16, 2026 and was superseded by General License 134C on May 18, but the available evidence does not name completed counterparties, quantify who captured value, or show that the licenses removed broader Russia sanctions.

   Thirty-day license, prior public denial, market rationale, and unquantified effect on Russian exporters

   Who Won from Russia Sanctions Relief? — Audit finding · Cited analysis

2. factdocumented

   OFAC issued and superseded the time-limited licenses within the Trump administration; no personal Trump-Russia money edge is inferred.

   Thirty-day license, prior public denial, market rationale, and unquantified effect on Russian exporters

   Who Won from Russia Sanctions Relief? — The record · The record

3. factdocumented

   General License 134B expired on May 16 and was replaced and superseded by General License 134C effective May 18. The temporary channel did not identify completed cargo sales, named sellers or purchasers, transaction prices, or realized Russian-state receipts in the cited public record.

   Thirty-day license, prior public denial, market rationale, and unquantified effect on Russian exporters

   Who Won from Russia Sanctions Relief? — Outcome · Outcome