London will not ease oil sanctions against Russia - Minister of State for Energy

LONDON. March 13 (Interfax) - The United Kingdom does not intend to ease sanctions affecting Russian oil in connection with the conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, UK Minister of State for Energy Michael Shanks said on Friday.

"We will keep up our sanctions, and we will continue to do what we are doing around the 'shadow fleet,' and we are not going to change our position on that at all," Shanks told Sky News.

At the same time, Shanks said that the UK authorities are taking measures to prevent price increases and are cooperating with other European countries.

Previously, the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a general license allowing the sale of Russian oil and petroleum products loaded onto vessels as of March 12, 2026. The measure is valid until April 11, 2026.

This decision was made in connection with Iran's warning that any vessel passing through the Strait of Hormuz would be attacked. The strait has effectively been blocked since the start of hostilities.

The Strait of Hormuz, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Indian Ocean, is considered one of the world's most important maritime trade routes and is key for oil transit. Approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and gas supplies pass through the strait.