U.S. Energy Secretary Says Nation Remains in Conflict with Iran Amid Oil Strikes and Venezuelan Deal

The remarks followed a U.S. strike on three Iranian crude-oil tankers that was presented as retaliation for Iranian attacks on U.S. naval vessels. Iran later claimed to have struck an unmanned U.S. vessel, a charge the United States denied. President Donald Trump dismissed the situation as “small potatoes,” while Vice President JD Vance said there is “no active shooting” and cautioned against labeling the episode a war. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned that the United States will keep targeting Iranian tankers whenever a U.S. ship is attacked.

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Wrighton noted that roughly 9 million barrels of oil per day are currently moving through the Strait of Hormuz—the highest seven-day average on record. Domestic gasoline prices have stayed elevated, averaging about $4 per gallon. He also highlighted a recently announced agreement that gives the United States majority control of more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela’s proven oil reserves, a deal the administration says could eventually double U.S. oil reserves and help stabilize energy costs.

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• Wrighton emphasized that the U.S. remains “in a conflict zone” and that naval operations aim to deter Iranian aggression.

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• Trump and Vance both declined to call the situation a war, with Vance noting the lack of “active shooting.”

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• Hegseth reiterated a policy of continued strikes on Iranian tankers in response to attacks on U.S. vessels.

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• “So if I had to guess, they're more likely to go down than go up.” — Wrightalso

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