Trump Issues 60-Day Jones Act Waiver Amid Iran Conflict

President Donald Trump announced a 60-day waiver of the Jones Act on March 18, 2026, temporarily suspending the century-old maritime law to address surging energy and fertilizer costs amid escalating disruptions from the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran. The waiver allows foreign-flagged vessels to transport oil, natural gas, fertilizer, and coal between U.S. ports, aiming to ease domestic supply chain bottlenecks as global oil markets face severe strain.

The Jones Act, formally Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, requires that cargo shipped between U.S. ports be carried on vessels built in the United States, owned by U.S. citizens, and crewed primarily by Americans. Enacted after World War I to bolster the domestic shipping industry and ensure a ready merchant fleet for national defense, the law has long been credited with protecting American jobs and maritime security while drawing criticism for raising transportation costs in regions reliant on coastal trade, such as Hawaii and the East Coast.

The decision comes three weeks into Operation Epic Fury, a joint U.S.-Israeli offensive launched on February 28, 2026, targeting Iran's nuclear program and oil...