The Guardian: Trump Says U.S. Navy Could Escort Oil Tankers Through Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the U.S. Navy could begin escorting oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if necessary, according to a report by The Guardian, marking one of the administration’s most aggressive steps yet to contain soaring energy prices triggered by the escalating U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran.
As fighting in the Middle East disrupts key shipping lanes, Trump said he directed the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to provide political risk insurance and financial guarantees for maritime trade in the Gulf.
Global crude prices have surged after Israeli and U.S. forces began striking Iranian targets over the weekend, raising concerns about interruptions to oil tanker shipments from the region.
While the DFC — launched in 2019 to partner with private investors on projects in developing countries — could help stabilize shipping, ship owners and analysts questioned whether military escorts and insurance backstopping would be enough to curb rising prices.
Trump, who has made lower fuel costs central to his economic messaging, signaled readiness to use both military and financial tools to prevent disruptions to global crude supplies.
“No matter what, the United States will ensure the free flow of energy to the world,” Trump wrote on social media.