Donald Trump has said that, “if necessary”, the United States Navy will begin escorting commercial tankers through the Strait of Hormuz “as soon as possible”.

The sea corridor — linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman — has seen shipping traffic largely grind to a halt amid the US–Israel war with Iran. It is a crucial chokepoint for global energy supplies, with roughly 20 million barrels of oil typically passing through each day.

Trump also said he had instructed a federal agency to provide “political risk insurance and guarantees for all maritime trade” through the Gulf.

“No matter what, the United States will ensure the free flow of energy to the world,” he said.