White House statement on India: In a major effort to stabilise the global energy market amid the Middle East conflict, Donald Trump has approved an immediate waiver for India to purchase Russian oil. White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt stated that the decision was made after discussions between the President, the Treasury Department, and members of the National Security team. Responding to a question from reporters, Levitt said, “The President, the Treasury Secretary, and the entire National Security team reached this decision because our partners in India have been good and have stopped purchasing Russian oil in the past.”
Reasons for the waiver: White House
White House Press Secretary Levitt stated that this immediate measure was intended to address disruptions to global oil supplies caused by the Iran crisis. “While we work to mitigate this temporary gap in global oil supply caused by the Iranians, we have temporarily allowed them to receive Russian oil,” Levitt added.
Levitt explained that the shipments were sent before the waiver was granted. According to the White House, the administration does not expect this arrangement to significantly benefit Moscow economically. This came as the White House provided an update on Operation Epic Fury, the US military campaign targeting Iran’s missile infrastructure and naval capabilities.
Operation Epic Fury: US strikes 5,000+ Iranian targets, destroys 50 naval vessels
Levitt stated that the operation has progressed rapidly since it began ten days ago, with more than 5,000 enemy targets struck so far.
Levitt further stated that Iran’s ability to retaliate has rapidly declined. Since the start of Operation Epic Fury, Iran’s ballistic missile attacks have decreased by more than 90 percent, and its drone strikes by approximately 35 percent.
The US military has also targeted Iranian naval assets. Levitt said, “We have destroyed more than 50 Iranian naval vessels, including a large drone carrier ship. The Iranian Navy has been deemed ‘combat neutralised.'”
Levitt said, “The stated objectives of Operation Epic Fury remain the same: destroy ballistic missiles, dismantle their missile industry, ensure their terrorist proxies can no longer destabilise the region, and ensure Iran never acquires nuclear weapons.”
Trump Promises to Continue Oil Supply through Strait of Hormuz
The White House also stated that the United States will ensure the uninterrupted flow of energy through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital oil shipping routes. Levitt said Trump reiterated his commitment to protecting energy supply routes. “Donald Trump has reiterated his commitment to maintaining the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz so that the United States and all our partners can meet their energy needs,” he said.
White House statement on India: Understand here 5 major reasons why US granted exemption to India?
1. Maintaining stable energy supplies – To compensate for the temporary shortfall in global oil supply caused by the Middle East crisis.
2. India a reliable partner – According to the Donald Trump administration, India has been a reliable ally of the US.
3. Decreased purchases from Russia in the past – The US says that India has previously shown a decrease in Russian oil imports.
4. Shipments had already been sent – The exemption was granted so that ongoing oil shipments would not be disrupted.
5. No major economic benefit to Moscow – Russia will not derive any significant economic benefit from this, hence the temporary exemption was granted.
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