Trump Administration May Destroy Iran’s Nuclear Capabilities Instead of Reaching Deal, Energy Secretary Says

The Trump administration may ultimately abandon hopes of reaching a nuclear agreement with Iran and instead rely on military force to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Sunday.

“There may not be a nuclear agreement,” Wright said during an appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” as host Martha Raddatz questioned him about the administration’s strategy toward Iran.

Wright said the alternative could be repeatedly destroying Iran’s ability to build nuclear weapons rather than depending on Tehran to voluntarily accept restrictions through negotiations.

He acknowledged that a diplomatic agreement might have to wait for a future Iranian government, saying the administration simply does not know whether the current leadership will accept Washington’s demands.

The comments come as the military confrontation between the United States and Iran continues, with renewed fighting around the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz.

Wright confirmed that the United States remains in an active conflict with Iran, describing the region as a “conflict zone.”

American forces have continued targeting Iranian military and economic assets while attempting to prevent Tehran from threatening U.S. forces and commercial shipping.

The confrontation escalated again Saturday when U.S. forces struck three Iranian oil tankers after the Pentagon said Iranian forces launched ballistic missiles toward two American Navy warships.

Iranian state media subsequently claimed that Iran struck an American vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, but the U.S. military denied the claim and described it as false.

Wright said the Navy’s mission extends beyond protecting commercial ships traveling through the strategically vital waterway.

According to the energy secretary, American forces are also attempting to prevent Iranian oil and other exports from leaving the country, increasing economic pressure on Tehran.

Iran relies heavily on oil exports for revenue, making restrictions on those shipments an important component of Washington’s broader strategy.

Wright said the administration’s objective remains preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and reducing its ability to develop the systems necessary to deliver one.

He acknowledged that destroying those capabilities could become a long-term challenge because Iran could attempt to rebuild infrastructure, equipment and weapons programs damaged by American attacks.

The administration has maintained that Iran must dismantle its enrichment and reprocessing capabilities and comply with international nuclear safeguards before relations can normalize.

Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes, while the United States and its allies have raised concerns about Tehran’s enrichment activities and its ability to potentially produce weapons-grade material.

Wright’s comments suggest the administration is increasingly prepared for the possibility that diplomacy will not produce the agreement Trump has sought.

If negotiations remain stalled, the administration’s strategy could increasingly depend on military operations and economic pressure aimed at ensuring Iran cannot successfully rebuild the nuclear and missile capabilities Washington is seeking to eliminate.