March 12 (UPI) -- The Trump administration is considering temporary waivers of a 106-year-old maritime law as it battles rising gas prices as a side effect of the war in Iran.
The White House acknowledged that it is discussing waivers to the Jones Act -- which requires cargo traveling between U.S. ports to be flagged in the United States, be at least 75% owned by U.S. citizens and be at least 75% crewed by U.S. citizens -- as oil tankers and other shipments are blocked from crossing the Strait of Hormuz near Iran.
The administration said it is considering waiving the rule to allow foreign owned and operated oil and fuel tankers to move between ports in an effort to limit rising gas prices across the country, CBS News and Politico confirmed.
"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 U.S. ports," White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement sent to several media organizations.
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