Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Wednesday that U.S. commercial ship escorts have eliminated Iran’s ability to blockade the Strait of Hormuz in the future.
“Iran no longer has the ability to close the Strait of Hormuz,” Wright said at a news conference in New York City. “That’s their key influence, and we’re taking that influence away from them.”
The energy secretary said 17 million barrels of oil passed through Hormuz when Iran declared another strait blockade over the weekend. Wright said a U.S. naval escort through Oman’s territorial waters in the southern strait was preventing Iran from interdicting the merchant ship.
About 72 ships carrying 19 million barrels of oil passed through Hormuz in the past 24 hours, he said. Trade information firm Kpler confirmed that about 4.8 million barrels a day have flowed out of the strait since the United States and Iran agreed to open sea lanes last week.
Wright said the United States could reimpose a naval blockade if Iran does not comply with Washington’s demands. He added that the Trump administration will ensure the world has an adequate supply of energy.
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“If we don’t get a deal with Iran, the flow of energy, the world’s supply, the Iranian regime will be in trouble,” Wright said.
Wright noted that the US’ 60-day waiver of sanctions on Iranian oil sales was not a major victory for the Islamic Republic. The Trump administration has not yet provided any funds to Tehran.
“We haven’t unfrozen any funds. We haven’t gotten anything meaningful yet,” Wright said at an event hosted by Reuters. “They may be able to get something meaningful from us, but they have to give us a meaningful victory and provide security for the world.”
Iran began attacking commercial ships in Hormuz on February 28 after the United States and Israel launched massive airstrikes against the country.
As a result, shipping traffic through the strait plummeted, causing the largest oil supply disruption in history. Before the war, about 20% of the world’s supply went through Hormuz.
Under a deal signed with the United States last week, Iran agreed to allow ships to pass through Hormuz without paying tolls or for 60 days. The US government lifted the naval blockade against Iran.
It is unclear how Hormuz will be governed after the 60-day period. Under the terms of the agreement, Iran will discuss control of the strait with Oman and its Gulf neighbors.
