U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has warned that Iran could face tighter sanctions if it fails to reach an agreement with President Donald Trump over its nuclear programme.
In an interview with CNBC on Tuesday, Wright said, “Absolutely, I would expect very tight sanctions on Iran, and hopefully drive them to abandon their nuclear program.” The remarks come just ahead of his first diplomatic tour to the Middle East as energy chief.
Wright will begin a nearly two-week visit to three Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia — the de facto leader of OPEC. The trip is expected to focus on energy cooperation, market stability, and strategic alignment in a region undergoing geopolitical realignment.
At home, Wright also defended President Trump’s forthcoming executive order to revive the U.S. coal industry. He argued that coal is essential to power artificial intelligence data centres, as well as meet the energy needs of steel and industrial production.
“We need a growing supply of electricity to hit the AI boom and also for this re-industrializing of the United States,” Wright said. “If we want to grow America’s electricity production meaningfully over the next five or 10 years, we’ve got to stop closing coal plants.”
The energy chief also addressed Trump’s calls for the European Union to buy more American energy. “I’ve had countries in Asia, in Europe, and elsewhere reach out to express interest in buying more American energy,” he said.
On Europe’s long-term energy strategy, Wright was blunt: “As I talk to European leaders, one thing they all share is a regret that they bet their energy future on Russia. I don’t think there’s a huge desire that, when the war is over, we’re going to re-count on Russia.”
Wright’s remarks underscore a broader shift in U.S. energy policy — one that blends foreign policy leverage with a renewed push for domestic production. As tensions with Iran escalate and Europe recalibrates its energy dependence, Washington appears ready to assert itself on multiple fronts.
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The United States launched fresh strikes on Iranian drone targets near Bandar Abbas after intercepting attack drones over the Strait of Hormuz, raising tensions despite an existing ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
Dozens of people were killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon on Tuesday, Lebanese officials said, straining a fragile ceasefire agreed between the countries in April. The attacks came as Iran accused the U.S. of violating a separate ceasefire with strikes near the Strait of Hormuz.
Norway is set to come under France’s nuclear umbrella, marking a significant shift in European security arrangements as concerns grow over the United States’ long-term commitment to the region.
Britain has announced fresh sanctions targeting cryptocurrency exchanges, financial networks and banks accused of helping Russia evade Western restrictions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 26 May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Dozens of people were killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon on Tuesday, Lebanese officials said, straining a fragile ceasefire agreed between the countries in April. The attacks came as Iran accused the U.S. of violating a separate ceasefire with strikes near the Strait of Hormuz.
Chinese investigators have uncovered hidden tunnels, missing worker trackers and fake underground walls during an initial investigation into the country’s deadliest mining disaster in more than 15 years.
The new AnewZ documentary, TARGET: Yerevan, builds its explosive case on exclusive, secret recordings originally published by Minval Politika.
The visit by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Armenia marks one of the clearest signs yet of Washington’s growing interest in the South Caucasus.
Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz has taken steps towards potentially declaring a state of emergency as anti-government protests intensify in the early months of his administration.
Norway is set to come under France’s nuclear umbrella, marking a significant shift in European security arrangements as concerns grow over the United States’ long-term commitment to the region.
Britain has announced fresh sanctions targeting cryptocurrency exchanges, financial networks and banks accused of helping Russia evade Western restrictions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.
China’s carbon emissions grew far less than previously thought over the past five years, according to a new analysis that is drawing close attention from climate researchers worldwide.
Muslims around the world have marked Eid al-Adha with prayers, celebrations and acts of charity, though for many Palestinians the holiday unfolded amid conflict, restrictions and loss.
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