President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC) will immediately begin offering political risk insurance and guarantees to support maritime trade passing through the Gulf, and that the U.S. Navy is prepared to escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.
In his post, the president said the insurance and guarantees will be available to all shipping lines at "a very reasonable price," with a particular emphasis on energy shipments. He added that the United States will work to ensure the free flow of energy to the world, citing the countryconomic and military strength as the underpinning of that pledge.
The announcement arrives as active hostilities involving the U.S. and Israel with Iran have disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that handles roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption along with significant volumes of gas. According to available accounts, shipping through the waterway has nearly stopped as the fighting has engulfed the area.
Iran has declared the strait closed and has threatened to attack ships passing through. At least five tankers have been damaged and two personnel killed amid the clashes, and about 150 ships are reported to be stranded around the strait, which separates Iran and Oman. Several major shipping companies, including Maersk, have announced they are halting operations in the strait.
Energy markets reacted to the disruptions: Crude Oil WTI futures traded above $77 at one point after the conflict began, before pulling back into the $73 range.
The administration ction centers on two tools. First, the DFC will provide political risk insurance and guarantees intended to reduce the financial exposure associated with routing vessels through the Gulf. Second, the U.S. Navy vailability to escort tankers is intended to provide a security layer for energy shipments and other maritime traffic willing to transit the strait.
The scope, pricing details beyond the president haracterization of "a very reasonable price," and the operational timeline for naval escorts were not detailed in the announcement. The situation on the waterway and the response by commercial shipping lines and markets remain fluid as the conflict continues to affect regional security and energy flows.