WASHINGTON — US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz is expected to reopen “sometime this summer at the latest,” while warning that the US military could intervene if Iran continues disrupting maritime traffic through the strategic waterway.Speaking to CNBC from an LNG terminal in Cameron, Louisiana, Wright said a diplomatic agreement with Iran could emerge “in the next few days” despite continued strains surrounding the fragile US-Iran ceasefire brokered by Pakistan on April 8 and later extended by US President Donald Trump.“If Iran continues to hold the world economy hostage, the US military will force the reopening of the Straits of Hormuz, but that’s not trivial to do,” Wright said, stressing that negotiations remain Washington’s preferred path.The remarks come amid ongoing tensions in the Gulf following US and Israeli strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, which triggered attacks by Tehran and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes.Wright also said US liquefied natural gas exports are increasing to help offset supply disruptions linked to the Hormuz crisis.Meanwhile, the American Automobile Association reported that the US national average gasoline price reached $4.53 per gallon on Friday, fueling renewed political debate over President Trump’s proposal to suspend the federal gas tax.
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