US Energy Secretary anticipates stricter sanctions on Iran if an agreement is not reached

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated on Tuesday that Iran should anticipate stricter sanctions if it fails to reach an agreement with President Donald Trump regarding its nuclear program. “I fully expect very stringent sanctions on Iran, which we hope will compel them to abandon their nuclear ambitions,” Wright remarked during an interview with CNBC.

On Wednesday, Wright will embark on a nearly two-week tour of three Middle Eastern nations, including Saudi Arabia, marking his inaugural visit as a U.S. official to the de facto leader of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, according to a source familiar with the situation who spoke to Reuters.

Wright also supported Trump’s forthcoming executive order, anticipated later on Tuesday, aimed at revitalizing the coal industry, which he deemed crucial for powering artificial intelligence data centers, steel production, and other industrial sectors. “To support the AI boom and the re-industrialization of the United States, we need a growing electricity supply. If we want to significantly increase America’s electricity production over the next five to ten years, we must halt the closure of coal plants,” Wright explained in the interview.

When asked about Trump’s assertion that the European Union should increase its energy purchases from the United States, Wright noted that countries in Asia, Europe, and beyond have expressed interest in acquiring more American energy. He believes that European nations will be reluctant to revert to Russian energy supplies once the conflict in Ukraine concludes. “In discussions with European leaders, a common sentiment is regret over their reliance on Russia for energy,” he stated. “I don’t foresee a strong inclination to depend on Russia for a significant portion of our energy supply once the war is over. That scenario seems highly unlikely.”