Vance: Affordable Oil Trumps Nuclear Disarmament in US-Iran Priorities
US Vice President JD Vance said that preventing Iran from developing nuclear capabilities is Washington's second priority, after ensuring affordable oil and gasoline prices for Americans.
Vance stated that keeping oil and gas cheap for Americans is 'goal number one', followed by ensuring Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon. He expressed confidence that both objectives are being achieved, despite the unpredictability of Iranian actions.
The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, has been a focal point in the conflict between the US and Iran. The waterway carries about one-fifth of the world's commercial oil shipments, and its closure or restrictions have led to increased energy prices globally.
US officials, including Treasury Secretary Bessent and Defense Secretary Hegseth, have vowed to maintain a blockade on Iranian ports indefinitely, despite reports of sailor burnout. The US Navy has rotated ships in and out of the region to maintain the blockade, with some deployments lasting over 200 days.