US Vice President JD Vance says Washington wants to maintain energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz while increasing economic pressure on Iran.
Web Desk: US Vice President JD Vance has said the United States wants to keep energy supplies moving through the Strait of Hormuz while simultaneously increasing economic pressure on Iran, as the Trump administration intensifies its campaign against Tehran.
Speaking on the US-based Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show, Vance credited American forces and commercial workers with helping maintain the flow of oil and gas through the strategic waterway despite what he described as Iranian attacks on commercial vessels.
Vance said Washington’s priority was to ensure continued energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz while imposing costs on Iran for targeting commercial shipping.
“If we can transport sufficient quantities of oil and gas from Hormuz while simultaneously punishing the Iranians for targeting commercial vessels, this will put significant economic pressure on them,” Vance said.
He argued that maintaining energy flows through the waterway while applying punitive measures could put additional strain on Iran’s economy.
Vance says conflict has entered a new phase
The US vice president said the conflict had entered “a new phase”, claiming that US and Israeli military operations had significantly weakened Iran’s conventional military capabilities and placed substantial pressure on the country’s weapons-manufacturing industrial base.
According to Vance, Washington’s next challenge will involve maintaining economic pressure on Tehran while preparing for possible retaliatory measures against the United States.
He described the situation as requiring “a delicate balance”, with Washington seeking to increase pressure on Iran while anticipating that Tehran could attempt to impose economic or strategic costs on the US.
Strait of Hormuz remains critical to global energy markets
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategically important energy corridors, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
Any prolonged disruption to commercial shipping through the waterway could affect global oil and gas supplies and place additional pressure on international energy markets.
Vance’s comments therefore underscore the Trump administration’s dual approach of maintaining the movement of energy supplies while using economic measures to pressure Iran.
The situation remains fluid, with developments around commercial shipping, energy supplies and military operations expected to influence global markets and the broader security environment in the Middle East.
