US Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated Friday that the United States could increase pressure on Iran and stop its oil exports as part of President Donald Trump's strategy regarding Tehran's nuclear program. Wright made these comments during his visit to Abu Dhabi in an interview with Reuters.

The Trump administration is taking a tougher approach toward Iran following the president's return to the White House in January. During his first term, Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement with Tehran and restricted Iranian oil exports.

This tougher stance includes military positioning. The US recently deployed six B-2 stealth bombers to Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. These aircraft, capable of delivering powerful bunker-busting bombs, could potentially target Iran's underground nuclear facilities as part of Trump's pressure campaign.

Wright expressed that Gulf allies of the United States are "extremely concerned" about a nuclear-powered Iran. He added that these nations share the US position that such an outcome "is in no one's best interest."

Iranian oil exports recovered during Joe Biden's presidency after Trump's first term. According to industry data, these exports have not yet decreased in 2025. China, which opposes unilateral sanctions, purchases the majority of Iran's oil shipments.

When questioned about enforcing maximum pressure on Tehran, Wright replied: "That's actually very doable. President Trump actually did it in the first term. We can follow the ships leaving Iran. We know where they go. We can stop Iran's export of oil."

Wright declined to discuss specific methods for halting Iranian exports. When asked if the US would intercept Iranian ships at sea, he said, "I'm not going to talk about the specific methodology of how that's going to happen. But can we turn the screws on Iran 100%."

On Friday, Iran announced it was giving "a genuine chance" to high-level nuclear talks with the United States scheduled for Saturday. This statement came after Trump threatened bombing if discussions failed.

Wright also predicted a positive outlook for:

• Oil demand
• Supply in coming years under Trump's policies

He suggested that market concerns about economic growth would be proven wrong.