US will provide insurance for ships in Gulf amid Iranian attacks: Trump

US Navy ‘will begin escorting’ oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway, if necessary, President Trump says.Published On 3 Mar 2026President Donald Trump has announced that the United States government will offer insurance to ships in the Gulf after Iran largely succeeded in shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, sending oil prices soaring.The US president added that the US military will accompany ships through Hormuz if necessary.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Are the US-Israeli attacks against Iran legal under international law?list 2 of 3Trump seeks quick victory but faces prolonged conflict with Iranlist 3 of 3Trump says Iran navy, air force destroyed, Germany ‘helping out’end of list“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, traveling through the Gulf,” Trump wrote in a social media post on Tuesday.DFC is the US government’s development finance agency. Its mission is to “advance US foreign policy and strengthen national security by mobilising private capital” across the world.Trump added that the discounted risk insurance will be available for all shipping lanes.“If necessary, the United States Navy will begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, as soon as possible,” he wrote.“No matter what, the United States will ensure the FREE FLOW of ENERGY to the WORLD.”The Strait of Hormuz is a vital trade artery that connects the Gulf to the Indian Ocean. Around 20 percent of the world’s oil flows through it.The price of oil has shot up by more than 15 percent since the US and Israel launched strikes on Tehran that started a war with Iran three days ago.Costs are expected to rise even higher as oil supplies decrease as a result of Iran’s closure of the strait, as well as attacks on energy instalments in the Gulf.