White House considers Jones Act waiver to maintain energy supplies amid Iran war

The US is weighing a temporary waiver of the Jones Act, a century-old maritime law, to ensure uninterrupted energy and agricultural deliveries to US ports amid disruptions caused by the war with Iran, the White House confirmed to Anadolu. "In the interest of national defense, the White House is considering waiving the Jones Act for a limited period of time to ensure vital energy products and agricultural necessities are flowing freely to US ports," spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said, adding that the decision has not been finalized.

Jones Act explained

The Jones Act, formally known as Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, requires that all goods transported by water between US ports be carried on US-built, US-flagged vessels owned and crewed by American citizens and permanent residents. A waiver would allow foreign vessels to fill the gap during the supply disruption, providing flexibility to maintain domestic shipping routes.

Shipbuilding assurance

A White House official separately assured that any waiver would not affect American shipbuilding, seeking to address concerns from domestic maritime interests who typically oppose waivers that could reduce demand for US-built vessels.

Conflict context

The escalation in the Middle East has disrupted global shipping since Israel and the US launched a joint attack on Iran on Feb. 28, which has killed over 1,300 people according to Iranian authorities. The conflict has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz to normal traffic, with approximately 20 million barrels of oil daily shipments disrupted, causing oil prices to surge above $100 per barrel and raising concerns about broader supply chain impacts reaching US ports.