US energy secretary dismisses prospect of nuclear deal with Iran

The United States may not reach a nuclear agreement with Iran and could instead destroy the country’s ability to develop atomic weapons, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Sunday.

“There may be no nuclear agreement. Its capabilities to do so may simply be destroyed,” Wright said in an interview with ABC. He added that a deal with Tehran might have to wait until a new US administration takes office.

His remarks came after Iran bombed a US vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the report, in response to US attacks on Iranian oil tankers the previous day. The latest hostilities have pushed fuel prices higher as a war that began more than six months ago continues to disrupt traffic through the strategic waterway.

“

There may be no nuclear agreement. Its capabilities to do so may simply be destroyed.

Before the conflict, about 20% of the world’s crude oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Washington and Tehran have held direct and indirect talks for months in an effort to reach an agreement that would end the conflict. In June, they signed a memorandum of understanding that opened a new dialogue process and included measures to reduce Iran’s enriched uranium reserves under International Atomic Energy Agency supervision. The talks have not led to a final nuclear agreement.

The average US gasoline price reached a record of about $4.14 per gallon over the Labor Day weekend, according to the American Automobile Association. The group linked the increase to “persistent volatility in the Strait of Hormuz,” which it said had pushed crude prices into the $90-a-barrel range.

“

Persistent volatility in the Strait of Hormuz has pushed the price of crude into the $90-a-barrel range.