US Energy Secretary Chris Wright Reportedly Says Iran Nuclear Deal May Never Happen: ‘We Are Degrading Their Capacity to…’

Amid escalating tensions, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has expressed skepticism about the possibility of reaching a nuclear agreement with Iran. This comes as the conflict between the U.S. and Iran enters its seventh month, with military actions and economic sanctions continuing to play a significant role.

Wright Expresses Doubts About a Potential Iran Nuclear Deal

On Sunday, Wright shared his doubts about a potential nuclear deal with Iran during an appearance on ABC News’ “This Week,” as reported by CNBC.

Wright suggested that the U.S. might instead focus on dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities. He emphasized the U.S. commitment to preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, even if it requires ongoing military interventions.

"We are degrading their capacity to develop nuclear weapons and ultimately to deliver them if they develop them. It is a 47-year-long effort. This is not trivial, but the United States will get the job done and we will work in cooperation with our allies in the region," he said.

Wright noted that these efforts could extend into future administrations, underlining the complexity of the situation. The U.S. military’s primary objective, according to Wright, is to halt Iran’s crude exports to exert economic pressure on the regime.

Iran Warns of More Severe Responses

In response, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker, warned of more severe responses to U.S. actions.

This follows U.S. strikes on Iranian oil tankers, which were retaliatory measures against missile attacks by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Admiral Brad Cooper of CENTCOM confirmed that the U.S. will continue to protect its forces and impose economic costs on Iran.

Trump Says US Has ‘Total Control’ Over Strait of Hormuz

The ongoing conflict has significant implications for global oil markets and geopolitical stability. President Donald Trump said that the U.S. has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for oil shipments. However, shipping data indicates that commercial traffic remains severely constrained, with maritime traffic through the waterway dropping by 50%.

In addition, Trump has urged oil companies to expand refining capacity to mitigate rising fuel costs amid the conflict. However, expanding refining capacity is not a straightforward solution, as it involves significant financial investments and time.

Despite the volatility caused by the conflict, Trump has expressed confidence that the stock market will continue to rise, even as oil prices fluctuate. He acknowledged the economic costs of confronting Iran over its nuclear program, predicting that oil prices would increase and the stock market might experience fluctuations.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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