US President Donald Trump has announced immediate measures to safeguard maritime trade through the Persian Gulf, particularly energy shipments, as tensions escalate with Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump wrote: “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. This will be available to all Shipping Lines. If necessary, the United States Navy will begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, as soon as possible. No matter what, the United States will ensure the FREE FLOW of ENERGY to the WORLD. The United States’ ECONOMIC and MILITARY MIGHT is the GREATEST ON EARTH — More actions to come. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
US President Donald Trump posts on Truth Social – “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,… pic.twitter.com/xSMY1YRgIv
— ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2026
The announcement comes amid reports of sharply reduced shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint for global oil and gas supplies — due to heightened risks from the ongoing conflict.
Earlier in the day, Iran`s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed full control of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that any vessels attempting to pass through the waterway face the risk of damage from missiles or stray drones.
IRGC further asserted that it had struck an American destroyer in the Indian Ocean using “Ghadr-380” and “Talaieh” missiles, news agency ANI reported. The Ghadr missile is a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) with a range of up to 2,000 kilometres, designed for precision strikes and rapid deployment. Talaeieh is a strategic cruise missile system capable of reaching targets up to 1,000 kilometres away. It is a smart missile that can change targets mid-mission, adding to its strategic capabilities.
The IRGC claimed the destroyer was refuelling from an American tanker when hit, triggering “widespread fires” on board both vessels.
US-Israel, Iran War: Israeli Embassy in UAE evacuates staff
The Corps stated that these actions form part of Operation True Promise 4, launched in retaliation against US-Israeli strikes on Iran. The IRGC added that it has targeted numerous sensitive and strategic sites deep inside occupied territories and conducted counterattacks against American interests across West Asia, including in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait.
Separately, the Times of Israel reported that Israel had carried out a covert evacuation of part of its embassy staff from the United Arab Emirates following the foiling of two Iranian terror plots targeting the diplomatic team in recent days. The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed the move, stating: “in light of concrete threats against Israeli missions in the UAE, and at the request of security authorities, non-essential staff were evacuated from the United Arab Emirates.”
These developments have raised concerns over potential disruptions to global energy supplies, with implications for major importers including India. The US initiative through the DFC aims to provide a government-backed alternative to private insurance amid rising war risks in the region.
(With ANI inputs)