Trump Urges Oil Tankers to ‘Show Some Guts’ as Hormuz Standoff Intensifies
President Claims Iranian Navy is "Sunk" and Defensive Launchers are Depleted; Shipping Industry Warns of "Extreme Risk" to Seafarers
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In a series of bold statements this week, U.S. President Donald Trump has called on global shipping companies to resume transits through the Strait of Hormuz, dismissing fears of Iranian retaliation. Speaking from his Doral, Florida club and in subsequent interviews, the President demanded that tanker crews "show some guts," arguing that the U.S.-Israeli military campaign has effectively neutralized Tehran’s maritime threat.
"These ships should go through the Strait of Hormuz and show some guts, there’s nothing to be afraid of," Trump told Fox News. "They [the Iranians] have no navy; we sunk all their ships."
The President’s push comes as global oil prices surged past $100 per barrel following a week of effectively stalled traffic in the world’s most vital energy chokepoint. Trump maintained that the joint air campaign has destroyed the vast majority of Iran's offensive capabilities.
"If you look, they have nothing left. There’s nothing left in a military sense," Trump told CBS News, estimating that only 20% of Iran's missile launchers remain. He warned that if Iran tries "anything cute," it would mark "the end of that country."
To incentivize the return of commercial traffic, the administration announced:
- A $20 Billion Reinsurance Scheme: A federal initiative to offset the soaring "war risk" insurance premiums that have grounded most compliant fleets.
- Potential Naval Escorts: The President suggested the U.S. Navy could provide "great safety" for tankers, though maritime experts remain divided on the effectiveness of such convoys against drone swarms.
Despite the President's bravado, the shipping industry has reacted with deep caution. Alexander Prokopakis, executive director of the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA), described the "show some guts" remark as "highly problematic," noting that it contradicts the industry’s priority of seafarer safety.
While a few vessels, such as the Liberia-flagged Shenlong, have successfully "gone dark" (switching off AIS transponders) to reach ports in India, the majority of the compliant fleet remains anchored. The risks were underscored this week by reports of Iranian "mine-laying" activities, which prompted a U.S. strike that destroyed 16 Iranian vessels.
The escalating rhetoric follows the rise of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new Supreme Leader. Trump was dismissive of the transition, stating he had "no message" for the new leader and remains focused on ensuring the "free flow of energy" to the world.
As of Friday, maritime tracking shows that while "shadow fleet" tankers continue to take the risk, the mainstream shipping industry is largely waiting for a "material improvement" in security before answering the President's call to action.