US energy secretary predicts Iran war will end within weeks
2026-03-15 - 17:32
US Energy Secretary Predicts Imminent End to Iran Conflict United States Energy Secretary Chris Wright provided a definitive timeline for the ongoing war with Iran during interviews Sunday, stating that the conflict "will certainly come to an end in the next few weeks" and "could be sooner than that." The prediction represents one of the most specific forecasts from a Cabinet member since joint US-Israeli attacks on Iranian territory began February 28, killing more than 1,200 people including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Speaking to ABC News, Wright addressed the economic impact of the hostilities on American consumers, acknowledging that elevated gas prices would persist for several more weeks. Americans should expect relief once the fighting concludes, he said, while cautioning that "there are no guarantees in wars at all." The secretary framed the short-term disruptions as necessary costs of the military campaign against Tehran. Hormuz Strait Safety and Global Energy Concerns In a separate interview with CNBC, Wright offered a blunt assessment of the strategic waterway at the center of the conflict. Asked whether the Strait of Hormuz was safe for shipping, he responded directly: "No, it is not." The admission comes as Iran has effectively closed the strait since early March, disrupting global oil and fertilizer shipments and driving up prices worldwide. Wright described Iran as "the greatest threat to global energy supplies," justifying the administration's military approach despite immediate market disruptions. "On the other side, we'll be in a much better place," he told CNBC, expressing confidence in the campaign's outcome. When questioned about warnings that oil prices could exceed $200 per barrel, he dismissed Iranian threats, suggesting that pricing would ultimately depend on how quickly the conflict reaches its conclusion. Regional Context and US Strategy Türkiye continues to monitor the situation closely as the conflict expands across multiple fronts. Iran has retaliated against the February 28 attacks with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting American military assets, widening the theater of operations and drawing additional nations into the crisis. US President Donald Trump indicated Saturday that nations receiving oil through the Strait of Hormuz should assume greater responsibility for securing the passage, with American forces providing assistance. Trump previously stated that US Navy escorts for oil tankers transiting the strait could begin "soon," though the waterway remains effectively closed to American-affiliated vessels. Wright's timeline suggests the administration believes the conflict's end is approaching, potentially allowing for the resumption of normal shipping through the world's most important oil chokepoint.