India, March 12 -- The Trump administration is planning to temporarily ease a century-old maritime rule as it looks for ways to deal with rising oil and gasoline prices during the war in Iran. According to people familiar with the matter, officials are considering short-term waivers that would allow foreign ships to help transport fuel between US ports.

The 30-day waivers for the Jones Act would allow foreign tankers to help supply refiners on the East Coast with fuel from the Gulf Coast and other parts of the United States. The people speaking about the plan were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

The Jones Act is a key part of US maritime law that has been in place since 1920. It requires that cargo transported between US ...