U.S. official warns Iran nuclear deal may remain out of reach

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the United States may not reach an agreement with Iran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons, as diplomatic talks appear stalled and fighting continues.

Wright said the administration remained open to diplomacy but was using military and economic pressure to force a change in Iran’s policies or leadership. He said the United States was restricting Iranian energy exports and that military action remained an option.

Wright also declined to say the Strait of Hormuz was currently safe for tanker traffic without U.S. Navy cooperation, saying shipping had not returned to pre-conflict levels. He described the conflict as ongoing, while negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program and a lasting settlement remained unresolved.

Read the full story at theguardian.com.