Wright says US will keep Hormuz open ‘with or without’ Iran deal

WASHINGTON, DC: Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Wednesday, May 6, that the United States is prepared to ensure open commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz regardless of whether a diplomatic agreement is reached with Iran.

Speaking as negotiations between Washington and Tehran continue, Wright said the recent US naval operation in the waterway had demonstrated American willingness to act unilaterally if needed.

His remarks came hours after President Donald Trump warned Iran of renewed military action if talks fail. 

Wright: US will keep Hormuz open 

In an interview with Fox News, Wright said the US military operation known as Project Freedom had changed the strategic calculations for Tehran by showing Washington was prepared to guarantee maritime access through the strait. 

“What the Iranians saw with Project Freedom is one way or the other, the United States is going to have free flow of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz,” Wright said. “It can be in an agreement with Iran or it can be without an agreement with Iran.”

Wright said the possibility of direct US military enforcement had reduced Iran’s leverage in ongoing negotiations, particularly as Tehran has used maritime pressure in the Gulf as a bargaining tool. 

“I think the fear that the United States’ military is going to open the strait whether Iran wants it or not, made them realize, if that’s true, we’ve got nothing. We (Iran) have no remaining leverage.”

He said that realization could push Iran back into active negotiations. “Maybe we should get more reasonable and get back to the table with the United States and see what we can get out of this.” 

He argued that Iran’s principal leverage had been its ability to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, but said Washington retained the ability to alter that balance.

“The only leverage they have has been impeding flow of traffic through the Straits of Hormuz,” Wright said. “But we can change that if we need to do it unilaterally.”

Trump warns renewed strikes, if negotiations fail

Trump reinforced that position in a Truth Social post on Wednesday, May 6, linking the future of military operations directly to the outcome of negotiations with Tehran.

“Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end,” Trump wrote.

He said the US naval blockade would then allow the Strait of Hormuz to remain open to all maritime traffic, including Iranian vessels.

“The highly effective Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran.”

Trump also warned that failure to reach an agreement could lead to renewed military action. 

“If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before.”