Secretary Wright Joins NBC's Meet the Press - March 15, 2026

Why It Matters

The administration’s military and market interventions aim to stabilize global oil supplies and blunt further fuel-price inflation that affects consumers and commerce, while raising the prospect of expanded international security cooperation to protect critical shipping lanes. These developments could reshape near-term energy prices, supply-chain risk, and geopolitical alignments around the Middle East.

Summary

Energy Secretary Chris Wright told Meet the Press that recent spikes in U.S. gasoline and diesel prices stem from the ongoing conflict with Iran and disruptions to flows through the Strait of Hormuz, but said the administration expects prices to ease within weeks after U.S. operations ‘‘defang’’ Iran’s military capabilities. He defended coordinated steps to blunt price shocks — including a 400-million-barrel international release and increased U.S. production, notably new California offshore output — and reiterated a goal of getting gas prices back toward $3 a gallon by the summer travel season. Wright warned the Strait of Hormuz remains unsafe for shipping and said reopening it is a priority, while indicating the U.S. is engaging allies (and potentially strategic competitors) on securing the waterway without detailing commitments. He framed the campaign as necessary to remove a long-standing regional threat that has endangered U.S. forces and global energy supplies.