US Energy Secretary Warns Nuclear Accord with Iran May Be Unachievable

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated on Sunday that a nuclear agreement with Iran preventing it from obtaining weapons may not be possible.

On ABC, Wright said, “There may not be a nuclear agreement,” as talks stall amid the US-Israel conflict. He suggested further military action to destroy Iran’s capabilities or waiting for a new Iranian administration.

On CBS, he affirmed diplomatic outreach remains open, with the military’s key role being to halt Iranian energy exports. “We are strangling their economy to force a policy change or new regime,” he said.

Despite Trump’s claims of safe navigation and US control of the Strait of Hormuz, Wright declined to declare it safe for tankers without Navy escort, and avoided saying if the military would stay indefinitely. August was the deadliest month for merchant vessels since March.

On CNN, Wright explained the US is cooperating with willing fleets, but safety requires US military presence. “We’re getting ships through, but not at pre-conflict levels,” he told Dana Bash.

Bash asked if tankers could transit safely; Wright replied only with US Navy escort. He said the Navy’s presence is today’s reality, but other nations should share the burden of securing this vital trade route.

“Until Iran changes its position or government, we’ll deal with them. Their capabilities are being degraded, ours enhanced,” he added.

Nuclear and diplomatic talks have stalled since a June interim agreement collapsed after US strikes last summer caused massive damage. Wright confirmed the US remains in a conflict, not a war, echoing Vance’s “military conflict” label. Trump dismissed it as “small potatoes.” Senator Kennedy doubted the conflict would end by November, while former Defense Secretary Panetta warned it could last much longer, now past six months.

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