U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that Iran could expect tighter sanctions if it does not reach an agreement with President Donald Trump on its nuclear program.
Wright made this statement in an interview with reporters on Tuesday.
“So absolutely, I would expect very tight sanctions on Iran, and hopefully drive them to abandon their nuclear program,” he said.
Wright is reportedly set to begin an almost two-week tour of three Middle Eastern countries on Wednesday, including Saudi Arabia—marking his first visit as a U.S. official to the de facto leader of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
The Energy Secretary also defended Trump's executive order, expected later on Tuesday, aimed at boosting the coal industry.
He described it as essential for powering artificial intelligence data centers, as well as supporting steel production and other industrial activities.
“We need a growing supply of electricity to meet the AI boom and also to support the re-industrialization of the United States. If we want to grow America's electricity production meaningfully over the next five or ten years, we've got to stop closing coal plants,” Wright added.
When asked about Trump's comment that the European Union should buy more energy from the United States, Wright said he has had countries in Asia, Europe, and elsewhere reach out to express interest in purchasing more American energy.
He further stated that he does not believe European countries would want to return to relying on Russia for their energy supplies once the war in Ukraine ends.
