Trump Waives US Shipping Law As Gas Prices Rise Amid Iran War

President Donald Trump issued a 60-day waiver for the Jones Act shipping law on March 18 in attempt to curtail the increasing fuel prices and supply disruptions caused by Iran’s pressure on the Strait of Hormuz.

“President Trump’s decision to issue a 60-day Jones Act waiver is just another step to mitigate the short-term ​disruptions to the oil market as the U.S. military continues ​meeting the objectives of Operation Epic Fury,” White House press secretary ⁠Karoline Leavitt said in a X post.

The Jones Act prohibits foreign-flagged ships from transporting cargo between American ports, CNBC reported.

“This action will allow vital resources like oil, natural gas, fertilizer, and coal to flow freely to U.S. ports for sixty days, and the Administration remains committed to continuing to strengthen our critical supply chains,” Leavitt added.

President Trump’s decision to issue a 60-day Jones Act waiver is just another step to mitigate the short-term disruptions to the oil market as the U.S. military continues meeting the objectives of Operation Epic Fury.

This action will allow vital resources like oil, natural… https://t.co/q6xu36exzy

— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) March 18, 2026

High energy prices resulting from the closure can create massive political risks for Trump and other Republican politicians ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Temporarily waiving the Jones Act could potentially lower shipping costs and speed delivery. However, analysts argued that prices at the pump would likely be minimally impacted, Reuters reported.