Politics
US eases sanctions on Russia in hunger for oil
So, our government says it doesn’t want war with Iran, yet backs the warhawks attacking Iran, and tells the British public that flying sorties ‘saves’ British lives.
British MPs are still straddling the fence over Trump’s Iran war. But, even the Zionist-leaning Telegraph warned that these developments could plunge the country into a recession as the world braces for stratospheric jumps in food and oil prices.
But, with oil prices soaring, many countries are having to rethink their relationship to Russia.
Iran war pushes Western re-consideration of Russia
On 12 March, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on X that the US Treasury will temporarily permit countries “to purchase Russian oil currently stranded at sea.”
Bessent spoke of the need to “promote stability in global energy.” However, considering the 10 plus years of US sanctions on Russia, America has just dealt itself a hard backhand slap. The waiver will run until 11 April and is reportedly limited to cargoes “in transit.”
However, UK MP Michael Shanks, told Sky News this morning that UK sanctions on Russia would stay in place.
Minister Michael Shanks is asked about the US lifting some sanctions on Russian oil. He says it’ll help Russia & thats a shame.
Maybe the UK govt should be putting pressure on the US & Israel to end their illegal war? But instead of doing that you’re helping the US to bomb Iran! pic.twitter.com/Z8HnpGSYu3
— Saul Staniforth (@SaulStaniforth) March 13, 2026
Shanks said that the UK will do anything possible not to grease the wheels of the Russian war machine.
What about the US war machine “mowing the lawn” in Iran Mr Shanks?
There has been no pressure from Labour to get the US to draw back. Instead, there is plenty of pressure coming from Washington to Starmer for more support. But, Starmer has insisted the UK will not ease sanctions on Russia:
All partners should maintain pressure on Russia and its war chest.
Yes to encroaching war with Iran, then, but no to oil via Russia.
Trump’s causes confusion by lifting Russian sanctions
LBC host, James O’Brien, much like the British government, is appalled by Trump’s sanctions waiver on Russian oil.
‘How do you make sense of this madness?’
James O’Brien can’t believe Donald Trump is fighting a war with Iran whilst relaxing sanctions on their ally, Russia. pic.twitter.com/tqCi6w2vK6
— LBC (@LBC) March 13, 2026
The enraged LBC host appears confused as to why Vladimir Putin – accused by UK Defence Secretary John Healey of supporting Iran “using methods learned on Ukraine battlefield” – is receiving relaxed sanctions from Trump’s administration.
He isn’t the one one who’s confused.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the US decision to ease sanctions was “wrong” as he warned over the Kremlin profiting from the war on Iran. Adding Russia may stand to benefits from the oil price surge to fund its ongoing war with Kiev.
#BREAKING Germany’s Merz calls US decision to lift sanctions on Russian oil ‘wrong,’ vows to continue support for Ukraine pic.twitter.com/Sxnarvglk6
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) March 13, 2026
For now, the UK is walking a tightrope—neither fully standing up to the Americans nor wholeheartedly fighting their war. Perhaps not out of moral righteousness, but because the myth of invincibility has always been just that as long argued by our very own Joe Glenton:
by its lack of foresight and strategic blundering, the US and Israel have handed effective control of a big chunk of the world’s economy to Iran. The US looks to have completely underestimated Iran: a country which seems to grow more determined, angry and defiant by the hour.
Featured image via the Canary