US Energy Secretary Says Nuclear Deal with Iran Unlikely Amid Ongoing Conflict
Energy Secretary Chris Wright told multiple news outlets that a nuclear agreement with Iran may not be reached, emphasizing continued military pressure and diplomatic openness while the Gulf region remains volatile.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright told ABC that a nuclear agreement with Iran "may not" be achieved, reflecting stalled negotiations and ongoing hostilities in the region. He suggested that eliminating Iran’s capability to produce nuclear weapons could require further U.S. military action, or that any future deal might have to wait for a new Iranian administration.
Wright later appeared on CBS, stating the United States remains "always open for a deal" and that the primary role of U.S. forces in the Gulf is to limit Iranian energy exports, describing the effort as "strangling their economy" to pressure policy changes.
In interviews with CNN, Wright declined to declare the Strait of Hormuz safe for unescorted merchant vessels, noting that safe transits currently depend on U.S. naval escort. He said the United States is coordinating with regional fleets to increase ship movements but did not commit to an indefinite naval presence.
Wright confirmed that the United States is still engaged in a conflict with Iran, while Vice President JD Vance described the situation as a "military conflict" rather than a war. Republican Senator John Kennedy added that a resolution by November is "probably not" likely.
Diplomatic talks have stalled since a June interim agreement collapsed, and previous U.S. strikes have significantly damaged Iran’s nuclear facilities.