The U.S. energy minister announced that the actions of the Islamic Republic in disrupting maritime navigation and threatening energy pipelines in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz are a direct effort to take the global economy hostage and exert pressure on international markets.

Chris Wright, in an interview with Fox News, added that the United States, together with its allies, will not allow any country to gain control over the free flow of energy or to impose severe price shocks on consumers around the world.

He stated that Washington will use all necessary tools to ensure energy security.