Vance: Iran's Attacks on Ships Behind Rising Fuel Prices

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U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance stated that large quantities of oil and gas continue to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, despite what he described as Iran's ongoing "intimidation" of ships on a daily basis, reiterating Tehran's responsibility for part of the disruptions in energy markets.

Vance added, in an interview with Fox News, that the administration of President Donald Trump will continue to work to counter Iranian movements targeting international navigation, as he described.

He said, "We are still witnessing the flow of large quantities of oil and gas through the Strait of Hormuz, even though the Iranians are intimidating ships every day."

Energy movement through the strait has experienced severe disruptions in recent months amid escalating confrontations between the United States and Iran, while the latest data showed an improvement in oil tanker movements. U.S. Central Command Commander Admiral Brad Cooper noted that oil movement through Hormuz has reached its highest levels in six months, coinciding with a decline in crude prices on Monday.

In discussing the roots of the confrontation, Vance stated that Trump was clear in his position that Iran "cannot possess a nuclear weapon," adding that the American president took measures to ensure that this would not happen.

He continued that Iran responded, according to the American narrative, by targeting international shipping. Washington had repeatedly accused Tehran of attacking commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, while Vance had previously stated that the United States would not set an artificial timeline to end the confrontation as long as attacks on ships continued.

The U.S. Vice President also linked the tension in the strait to rising fuel prices within the United States, stating that Americans must accept that the continuation of what he described as Iran's "intimidation of international shipping" puts pressure on gasoline prices.

The energy transport sector is facing additional pressures due to rising shipping costs and a shortage of oil tankers, with the cost of renting some giant tankers exceeding one million dollars per day, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

Vance's statements come at a time when new diplomatic signals are emerging between Washington and Tehran. Trump stated that he is open to meeting Iranian President Masoud Bezhakian in New York, while attention is turning to the United Nations General Assembly meetings.

In another file, Vance expressed his belief that the war in Ukraine will eventually end, adding that it is a matter of time.

The U.S. Vice President said: "Do I believe that the Ukraine war will be resolved eventually? Yes, it is just a matter of time," without specifying a timeframe or providing details about a possible path to settlement.

Vance also addressed the controversy regarding some media organizations' access to the White House, defending the Trump administration's stance.

He stated that the administration does not prevent the media from doing their job or covering news at the White House, but it does not see itself obligated to grant "special access" to organizations it accuses of providing biased promotional coverage.

His remarks came amid a growing dispute between the White House and several media organizations, following the denial of access to the White House for "CNN," "MS NOW," and "Politico," a move that prompted the three organizations to announce their intention to resort to legal action, while other media organizations protested the decision.