U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has expressed skepticism about a future nuclear deal with Iran, suggesting the Trump administration may instead focus on directly “destroying their capabilities” to develop nuclear weapons. This hardline stance comes as the seven-month-long U.S.-Iran conflict intensifies, with Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warning of “faster, heavier, and more painful” retaliations to U.S. attacks amidst severe economic pressures from sanctions and a blockade on oil exports.
In a significant declaration amidst escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright indicated on Sunday that a nuclear agreement with Iran might never materialize. Instead, the U.S. may focus on dismantling Iran's nuclear capabilities directly, suggesting a shift from diplomatic solutions to more aggressive preventative measures.
"There may not be a nuclear agreement. It may be simply destroying their capabilities to do it," Wright stated on ABC News' "This Week," adding that an agreement "may await the next administration in Iran. We simply don't know that." These remarks, coming as the U.S.-Iran conflict enters its seventh month, underscore a potential evolution in the Trump administration's strategy, which has consistently aimed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
While President Donald Trump has pursued a negotiated deal amidst soaring global energy prices, Wright's comments suggest the U.S. is prepared to achieve its objective without one. When pressed on the continuation of strikes against Iran's nuclear infrastructure, Wright affirmed, "You have to destroy their capabilities to do it." He emphasized the U.S.'s ongoing efforts to degrade Iran's capacity to develop and deliver nuclear weapons, describing it as a "47-year-long effort" that the United States, in cooperation with allies, "will get the job done."
Later, on CBS' "Face the Nation," Wright clarified that Trump's preference remains a "negotiated settlement" over military solutions unless absolutely necessary. He also highlighted the critical role of the U.S. military in the region: "The biggest role of our military in the region right now is to stop the export of any Iranian crude or crude-related products, natural gas, whatever. We are strangling their economy to try to bring either a change in policy from the existing regime or a new regime."
Iran's Stern Warning and Economic Strain
Meanwhile, Iran's parliament speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, declared an end to "proportionate responses" to U.S. attacks. He warned that any future violation of Iran's interests and security would be met with a "faster, heavier, and more painful" response, as conveyed in a Telegram post. Ghalibaf also openly acknowledged the severe economic pressures facing Iran, citing "severe fluctuations in the exchange rate, inflation, unemployment, and market management" as significant challenges impacting citizens' livelihoods. He advocated for greater reliance on domestic production and technological innovation to find lasting solutions.
These remarks followed a series of U.S. military strikes on three Iranian crude oil carriers, with U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirming two were permanently disabled off Kharg Island and near Jask, and another attacked in the Gulf of Oman. Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, also announced plans for a new restriction zone outside the Strait of Hormuz, extending into the Gulf, Reuters reported.
CENTCOM justified the attacks as retaliation for ballistic missiles launched by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) toward two U.S. Navy warships. Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, issued a stark warning: "If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost —taking out three of yours... We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet." Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth echoed this sentiment on X, stating, "It's simple: if Iran shoots at U.S. ships, we will destroy (and sink) their oil tankers. All they have to do is not shoot at @USNavy."
The conflict, which erupted on February 28 with American and Israeli airstrikes, has dramatically disrupted Iran's oil exports, which previously accounted for 90% of its crude via Kharg Island as the third-largest OPEC producer. The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global oil waterway, has effectively been shut down. President Trump had previously threatened to seize Kharg Island in June and even posted an AI-generated video of its destruction on August 31.
Tightening Economic Noose
Further exacerbating Iran's economic woes, the U.S. Treasury Department recently announced sanctions against a small Turkish investment bank and its subsidiaries, accused of funneling funds to Iran's Revolutionary Guard. These measures are part of a broader sanctions campaign by the Trump administration targeting Iran's financial lifelines, including digital assets, technology procurement, gold reserves, and its commercial aviation and shipping sectors.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed a sharp decline in the country's trade. The World Bank estimates Iran's gross domestic product contracted by 2.7% in the year ending March, citing economic disruption from widespread protests and intensified regional hostilities. Inflation surged to 62.2% in February, with food price inflation hitting a historic 99%. An Iranian official also reported the loss of one million jobs due to the war, according to the New York Times.
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