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Reports began to surface yesterday afternoon that the Trump administration was considering providing military protection for oil and gas tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz to ease energy prices that had climbed after Iran warned it could target ships in the waterway, according to POLITICO.
The Pentagon was said to be discussing a maritime mission similar to past Red Sea operations, where US carriers and destroyers were deployed to protect freedom of navigation amid threats from Iran-linked forces, as Macron referred to in an earlier report.
POLITICO also reported that the administration was considering having the US government backstop insurance for tankers, as marine insurers raise premiums or withdraw coverage, even though the strait remains open.
President Donald Trump later took to Truth Social, saying: “Effective IMMEDIATELY, I have ordered the United States Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to provide, at a very reasonable price, political risk insurance and guarantees for the Financial Security of ALL Maritime Trade, especially Energy, travelling through the Gulf.
“This will be available to all Shipping Lanes. If necessary, the United States Navy will begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, as soon as possible.
“No matter what, the United States will ensure the FREE FLOW of ENERGY to the WORLD. The United States’ ECONOMIC and MILITARY MIGHT is the GREATEST ON EARTH – More actions to come.”
