New York, March 21 (QNA) - The US temporarily lifted sanctions on the sale of Iranian oil loaded on vessels as of Mar. 20, in a bid to curb the increase in energy prices resulting from the war in the Middle East. The suspension of sanctions would expire on Apr. 19.

US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent wrote on Twitter: "Today, the Department of the Treasury is issuing a narrowly tailored, short-term authorization permitting the sale of Iranian oil currently stranded at sea."

He added that the decision will bring approximately 140 million barrels of oil to global markets to ease pressure on energy supply caused by Iran. (QNA)