Washington: US President Donald Trump has temporarily suspended a long-standing shipping regulation in an effort to curb rising energy costs following the escalation of conflict in the Middle East.

The White House confirmed that Trump has issued a 60-day waiver of the Jones Act, a century-old law that restricts the transport of goods between US ports to American-flagged vessels. The measure will allow foreign-flagged ships to move cargo domestically during the waiver period.

Enacted in 1920 to support the US shipbuilding industry, the law has long faced criticism from opponents who argue it increases transport costs and limits competition.

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the decision as a step to reduce short-term disruptions in the oil market amid ongoing military operations following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran launched on 28 February, referred to by the administration as Operation Epic Fury.

According to the administration, the waiver will help ensure the continued flow of essential goods — including oil, natural gas, fertiliser and coal — to US ports for the next two months. Officials said the government remains committed to strengthening critical supply chains.

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Meanwhile, industry data from AAA indicates that US petrol prices have increased by more than 27 per cent since the start of the conflict, reflecting broader market volatility linked to the war.

(AP)