Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Friday that the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has kept closed amid its ceasefire with the United States, will reopen "sometime this summer at the latest."

Wright made the comments during an interview with CNBC's Brian Sullivan at a new liquefied natural gas facility in Cameron, Louisiana. The secretary also addressed uncertainty over Iran's leadership and the state of ongoing negotiations to end the standoff.

"We don't know for sure" about who is currently in charge in Iran, Wright acknowledged, referring to reporting that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei may be incapacitated or possibly dead. "There is confusion, there is faction among the regime, all of this could ultimately lead to change in regime in Iran."

What the Left Is Saying

House Democrats have warned that Trump's proposed moratorium on the federal gas tax, currently 18.4 cents per gallon, could undermine the Highway Trust Fund and infrastructure projects without guaranteeing savings would be passed to consumers at the pump.

"Ending the conflict will best resolve the issue with gas prices," Democratic lawmakers suggested in response to the ongoing Iran standoff. The party has pointed to Wright's earlier prediction from March that gas prices would drop below $3 by summer as an example of premature optimism, noting that three days before making that forecast, the national average stood at nearly $3.60 per gallon according to AAA data.

Progressive voices have also cautioned against military intervention in the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that economic leverage and diplomatic negotiations present more sustainable solutions to the energy crisis.

What the Right Is Saying

Republicans have largely supported Wright's approach, emphasizing that maintaining pressure on Iran remains essential. The administration has argued that economic sanctions and export expansion provide the United States with tools to address high gas prices while holding Tehran accountable.

"This regime is trying to cling on to their nuclear program," Wright told NBC News's Kristen Welker, noting that the conflict "has gone a little longer" than anticipated but expressing confidence in eventual resolution. Supporters of Trump's approach have endorsed the proposed gas tax moratorium as a direct way to provide relief for drivers facing elevated fuel costs.

Conservative commentators have praised the administration's dual-track strategy of pursuing diplomatic solutions while keeping military options available, arguing this demonstrates strength without escalating conflict unnecessarily.

What the Numbers Show

The Strait of Hormuz carries approximately 20 percent of global oil shipments daily. Iran has kept it closed during its ceasefire with Washington, causing the United States to lose access to roughly 10 billion cubic feet per day in gas exports that would normally transit through the waterway.

Despite this interruption, Wright said the U.S. is "continuing to ramp up" natural gas exports, adding 2.5 billion cubic feet of daily export capability at new facilities like the Louisiana plant he visited Friday.

The national average for gasoline stood at $4.53 per gallon on Friday, according to AAA data. This represents a significant increase from March when Wright predicted prices would fall below $3 by summer. The federal gas tax currently sits at 18.4 cents per gallon. Trump later suggested in April that sub-$3 prices may not return until 2027, which he publicly criticized as "totally wrong."

The Bottom Line

The fate of the Strait of Hormuz remains tied to ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Wright expressed optimism that a deal could be reached "in the next few days," though he emphasized the military option exists if Iran continues restricting passage.

"If Iran continues to hold the world economy hostage, the United States military will force the reopening of the Straits of Hormuz, but that's not trivial to do," Wright said. "We've done the early steps on that, but better is to get a deal and not have to use military force."

For American drivers, gas prices are likely to remain elevated until either the strait reopens or production increases elsewhere offset the loss of shipping capacity. The administration's proposed gas tax moratorium would reduce the federal levy by 18.4 cents per gallon if implemented, though its passage through Congress remains uncertain.