Iran Nuclear Deal May Not Happen Until Regime Change
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Sunday a nuclear agreement with Iran may not happen, and any deal could fall to a future Iranian government to conclude.
- $4.15 per gallon: the national average gas price as of Sunday, per AAA.
- 9 million barrels per day: the current seven-day average through the Strait of Hormuz.
- 13–14 million barrels daily flow out of the region when bypass pipelines are included.
- Saturday, the U.S. struck three Iranian oil tankers after Iran targeted two Navy warships.
Why it matters: The U.S. is now focused on degrading Iran's nuclear and military capacity rather than negotiating. Wright said Iran's nuclear program, navy, and air force have effectively been ended by the campaign.
- Wright said a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports would "either change their regime or it'll change their regime's policies."
- Labor Day 2026 is set for the highest national average gas price since September 2012, up from $3.19 last year.
How 15 sources split on this story
Where they split: Both outlets report Wright's words the same way; they differ on whether the story centers on diplomatic failure or on military progress against Iran's nuclear program.
CNBC2dCNBC Daily Open: Trump's ‘little excursion’ becomes an uphill battle as Iran war continues
RealClearPolitics1dAmerica Still Needs an Endgame in Iran
The Hill2dWright: US ‘may not’ reach nuclear agreement with IranYNYahoo News2dEnergy Secretary says 'there may not be' a nuclear agreement with IranLeft coverage, 5 sources: The left frames Wright's comments as a concession that a core Trump administration objective — a nuclear deal — may be failing, while highlighting the contradiction between Trump's dismissive tone and Treasury's stated goal of economically strangling Iran.
ABC News2dEnergy Secretary says 'there may not be' a nuclear agreement with Iran
Al Jazeera2dTrump official says ‘there may not be a nuclear agreement’ with Iran
Political Wire2dEnergy Secretary Says Iran Nuclear Deal Unlikely
The Guardian2dEnergy secretary says US might not reach nuclear agreement with Iran
The Washington Post2dU.S. energy secretary says Iran nuclear deal ‘may not’ happen anytime soonRight coverage, 6 sources: The right frames the possible delay of a deal as a pragmatic outcome tied to military success, emphasizing that Iran's nuclear threat has been neutralized and that any future deal awaits a more cooperative Iranian government.
Washington Examiner2dIran nuclear deal may be delayed until ‘next administration’ in Tehran, Wright says
The Epoch Times3dIran Nuclear Deal Might Be Delayed Until Regime Change in Tehran, Energy Secretary Says
Citizen Free Press2d‘We may never get a nuclear deal with Iran.’
New York Post2dTrump energy secretary says, 'there may not be' an Iran nuke deal — but US winning anyway
Newsmax2dSec. Wright Doubts Iran Nuclear Deal as Strikes Escalate at Sea
NTD2dIran Nuclear Deal Might Be Delayed Until Regime Change in Tehran, Energy Secretary SaysWhat’s next: Futures markets point to gasoline prices roughly 35 cents lower within two months, Wright said.
- Peace talks remain stalled as hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz continue.
- Whether the U.S. bombing campaign has permanently disabled Iran's nuclear program or only delayed it.
- What political conditions inside Iran could produce a government willing to negotiate a deal.
- How sustained elevated oil prices will affect the U.S. economy if the conflict drags on.