U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated on Sunday that a nuclear agreement with Iran may not be possible until the current government in Tehran is replaced, as American forces conducted strikes on multiple Iranian oil tankers over the weekend.
U.S. military actions included attacks on three Iranian oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, in retaliation for Iranian missile strikes on American warships. The U.S. Central Command confirmed the operations, which followed months of heightened conflict between the two nations.
Wright, speaking to ABC News’ This Week, emphasized that while a nuclear deal remains uncertain, the U.S. is actively degrading Iran’s nuclear capabilities through military means. "We are degrading their capacity to develop nuclear weapons and ultimately to deliver them, if they develop them," he said. Wright added that the U.S. would continue collaborating with regional allies to address the threat.
Military Escalation in the Strait of Hormuz
The U.S. strikes on Iranian tankers occurred one day after U.S. Central Command reported that Iran had targeted at least 23 merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz over the past two months. Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, Wright acknowledged ongoing disruptions but asserted that American naval operations had maintained control over critical shipping lanes.
"Our transits through the Strait are averaging over 9 million barrels a day now," Wright said. "With the access pipelines that go around the Strait, we’re probably two-thirds or more of pre-conflict flows. So Iranians are still causing trouble, but the United States Navy is winning that battle."
Wright also warned that Iran’s nuclear program remained a primary concern, stating that Tehran had not abandoned its ambitions despite military pressure. "They have not lightly given up their nuclear weapons program," he said.
Nuclear Program Remains a Point of Contention
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported in 2025 that Iran had accelerated production of near-weapons-grade uranium, with some material enriched to 60% purity—a level close to the 90% threshold required for a nuclear weapon. Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes, though the IAEA has repeatedly cited access restrictions to Iranian facilities.
U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated that Iran will not be permitted to obtain a nuclear weapon, though he has expressed skepticism about the prospects of a viable deal under current conditions. In August, Trump stated that any agreement would need to meet his administration’s standards, adding, "Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. And they won’t have a nuclear weapon."
Wright echoed this stance, noting that the U.S. had previously conducted a two-week bombing campaign, Operation Midnight Hammer, targeting suspected Iranian nuclear facilities alongside Israel’s military.
Economic Pressure and Long-Term Strategy
In parallel with military actions, the U.S. Department of the Treasury launched Operation Economic Outcast on August 24, imposing sanctions on entities trading with Iran. The initiative aims to further isolate Tehran’s economy and curb its ability to fund military or nuclear programs.
Wright suggested that Iran’s path forward may depend on a change in leadership or policy. "I think we’ll see a change in the Iranian regime, or certainly a change in their policy if they want to become a trading nation again and engage with the world," he said.
International Implications and Uncertain Path Forward
The escalation comes as the U.S. seeks to balance military deterrence with diplomatic pressure. While Wright indicated that a nuclear deal is unlikely in the near term, he did not rule out the possibility of future negotiations under different circumstances.
Analysts note that the current approach reflects a broader strategy of weakening Iran’s capabilities while awaiting potential shifts in its government or policies. However, the absence of a clear diplomatic off-ramp raises questions about the long-term sustainability of this approach and the risks of further escalation.