The United States could extend its naval blockade of Iran for months more, oil executives were told in a meeting with US President Donald Trump, a White House official said on Wednesday.
Participants at a White House meeting, which took place on Tuesday and was first reported by Axios, discussed “the steps President Trump has taken to alleviate global oil markets and steps we could take to continue the current blockade for months if needed and minimise impact on American consumers,” said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“The President meets with energy executives frequently to get their feedback on domestic and international energy markets,” the official said, with topics including “domestic production, progress in Venezuela, oil futures, natural gas, and shipping.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was “host of the meeting,” the official said, adding that Vice President JD Vance and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles also joined.
US oil giant Chevron confirmed that its CEO, Mike Wirth, participated in the meeting.
Growing tensions over Hormuz blockade
Iran’s state-run Press TV network said on Wednesday, citing an unnamed “high-ranking security source” that if the US maintains its blockade of Iran’s ports and Iranian vessels, it will draw “practical and unprecedented military action” in response.