The UK is loosening parts of its sanctions on Russian oil through a licence-based carve-out, as fuel prices rise and supply concerns increase for certain fuels, according to reports. The change is designed to address pressures on availability and pricing, with sources linking the backdrop to disruptions affecting global shipping and refinery supply. Both outlets say the waiver is tied to the risks facing fuel supplies amid the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has a knock-on impact on energy markets. The Daily Mail also cites additional context from the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and notes that the licence terms include periodic reviews, reflecting that the carve-out is not necessarily permanent. The BBC similarly reports that the waiver responds to heightened concerns about supply for specific fuels. Taken together, the coverage indicates the UK’s sanctions policy is being adjusted temporarily to mitigate shortages and price spikes, while keeping the decision subject to continued monitoring as conditions in the Middle East and energy markets evolve.