Energy Secretary Wright: Iran Nuclear Program Must End, Strait of Hormuz to Reopen

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Sunday on CBS's "Face the Nation" that the United States has achieved its military objectives against Iran in about five weeks but must still end the country's nuclear program.

Host Margaret Brennan asked about President Trump's expectation of a response from Iran to recent U.S. actions. "Not that I'm aware of, but I suspect we will get a response very soon," Wright replied. "Things are tough for the leaders of Iran right now, and I think they're getting growing motivation to make a deal, but we know where this is going to end. ... We'll have free flow of traffic through the Straits of Hormuz, and we will have an end to the Iranian nuclear program."

Brennan noted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war is not over, citing ballistic missiles and the nuclear program, while Trump told Congress hostilities had ended. Wright clarified that the military goals set four to six weeks ago—degrading Iran's missile and drone production, industrial base, navy, air force, and air defenses—have been met. "Those were critical because that was the porcupine that protected their nuclear program," he said.

On removing Iran's enriched uranium, Wright said the details are undecided but would involve Department of Energy experts, who have the U.S. nuclear expertise and have prepared for handling the material. Iran holds nearly 1000 pounds of uranium enriched to 60%, near weapons-grade and beyond commercial use. "They've lied all along that it's for a civil nuclear program. ... It was always about weapons, and the world just can't live with a nuclear armed Iran."

Wright said the goal is to end the program, whether by IAEA removal or other means. The U.S. is blocking traffic to Iranian ports while Iran harasses other ships in the Gulf. U.S. destroyers signal that free commercial flow through the Strait of Hormuz will be restored one way or another.

Brennan raised Project Freedom, announced by Trump on May 5 to guide vessels out, paused less than 48 hours later at Pakistan's request, then threatened with bombing resumption and possible upgrade to "Project Freedom Plus others." Wright said the U.S. is actively clearing the strait but paused Project Freedom at Iran's request to pursue talks. "If it's clear in the next few days that there's not a good path to a negotiated settlement, we'll go back to the military method," he said.

Economic pressure is mounting via the blockade and Operation Economic Fury, which targets IRGC leaders' overseas funds. Wright advised prioritizing the end of Iran's nuclear program over short-term energy market issues. "A nuclear armed Iran could threaten a major oil and gas producing region forever," he said. He contrasted Trump's approach with Obama's deal, predicting a quicker negotiation to fully end enrichment.