U.S. Energy Secretary Hopes for Iran Deal, Warns of Military Action Over Hormuz Strait

Speaking in Istanbul on Friday, Wright said the U.S. hopes the strait could be fully reopened later this summer.

In an interview from an LNG terminal in Cameron, Louisiana, the U.S. energy secretary said a new understanding or agreement between Washington and Tehran could emerge soon, despite ongoing tensions surrounding the fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire that was reportedly brokered with the help of Pakistan on April 8 and later supported by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Although Wright emphasized that diplomacy remains Washington’s preferred path for resolving the crisis, he also delivered a strong warning to Tehran.

“If Iran continues trying to hold the global economy hostage in this way, the U.S. military will ultimately be forced to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by force,” he said, adding that such a military operation would not be simple.

The ongoing Hormuz crisis has caused significant volatility in global energy markets, with the impact also being felt inside the United States.

According to the American Automobile Association, the average price of gasoline in the United States reached $4.53 per gallon on Friday.

The rise in fuel prices has also triggered renewed political debate over a proposal by President Trump to temporarily suspend the federal gasoline tax.

To address international supply shortages caused by the Hormuz tensions, Wright said the United States is increasing exports of Liquefied Natural Gas.