U.S. President Donald Trump said he would provide U.S. Navy military protection for tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
On the 3rd (local time), Trump said on his social media, Truth Social, "If necessary, the U.S. Navy will as quickly as possible begin escorting tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz."
He added, "Effective immediately, I have directed the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to provide political risk insurance and guarantees at very reasonable prices for all shipping through the Gulf, especially energy transport."
Trump emphasized, "Under any circumstances, the United States will ensure the free flow of energy to the world."
Trump's announcement is seen to mean that, in response to Iran's threat to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, the United States could deploy military power to directly defend the international energy shipping lanes.
As U.S. military operations against Iran and Iran's counterattacks have continued for a fourth day, military tensions around the Strait of Hormuz—through which 20% of the world's crude oil shipments pass—have reached a peak.
However, because Trump attached the condition "if necessary," some note that the specific timing for the U.S. military to actually begin escorting tankers in the strait is uncertain.