Key facts
- Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced that oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz is returning to normal.
- 67 ships transited the strait on Saturday, an increase from 55 on Friday.
- The U.S. military is providing escorts for vessels through a southern route.
- Vice President Vance had previously stated no evidence existed of Iran blocking the strait.
- Gas prices remain higher than last year but have decreased from last month.
- President Trump threatened further action against Iran if its proxies in Lebanon continue to cause trouble.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated on Sunday that oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz is returning to normal, a day after Iranian officials had signaled potential closure of the waterway due to Israeli strikes in Lebanon. Wright reported that 67 ships transited the strait on Saturday, an increase from 55 on Friday, with the U.S. military escorting vessels through a southern route.
Wright suggested that the return to normal flows, achieved without Iranian cooperation, demonstrates leverage President Trump used to bring Iran to the negotiating table. He indicated that Iran might be able to secure a beneficial deal.
Previously, Vice President Vance told Fox News that there was no evidence of Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz and highlighted record oil movement through the corridor in the preceding 24 hours. Vance is currently in Switzerland for mediated talks with Iranian officials concerning Iran's nuclear program, following a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding that initiated a 60-day period for a final agreement.
Gas prices in the U.S. remain elevated compared to pre-conflict levels, with the national average for regular gasoline at approximately $3.93 per gallon. While lower than a month ago, this is about 70 cents higher than the average in June of the previous year. Wright declined to predict when prices would return to pre-war levels but stated they would continue to decrease.
President Trump issued a warning to Iran on Sunday, referencing the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and the U.S.-Iran ceasefire. He demanded that Iran cease its proxies' actions in Lebanon, threatening harsher U.S. military action if they did not comply.