US President Donald Trump has waived more sanctions on Russia in a bid to ease energy prices.

The US president signed an executive order two days prior to a scheduled sanctions deadline and one week following a reported diesel agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The timing of this action has drawn attention to its relationship with these recent diplomatic and economic developments.

The decree states that the action aligns with the national interests of the United States. The document presents this rationale as a justification for the measure.

U.S. Central Command officials stated that a naval blockade resumed in July is currently enforced by Navy assets to restrict Iranian maritime trade, with the exception of humanitarian aid. The U.S. also reported the freezing of $350 million in Iranian cryptocurrency and the facilitation of transit for 400 vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, while asserting that these measures have led to financial strains within Iran’s government and military sectors, including reports of unpaid salaries, though independent verification of these internal economic conditions is limited.