Heinrich Demands Answers from Secretary Wright on Whether DOE Adequately Prepared for Strait of Hormuz Closure Ahead of Iran War

WASHINGTON - Yesterday, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, sent a letter to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright demanding answers on whether the Department sufficiently prepared for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz prior to President Trump choosing to enter into a war against Iran with no clear strategy or congressional approval.

Heinrich additionally requested any analysis the administration conducted on how the President's war with Iran would impact energy costs. As a result of President Trump's war with Iran, families are currently facing over $4 a gallon for gas - and the President has signaled those prices may continue to rise.

"I am deeply concerned that the President's decision to wage a reckless war on Iran will wreak havoc on energy markets for the foreseeable future-driving up energy costs for Americans across the country and causing global economic turmoil," Heinrich began.

"Soon after the war began, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) restricted passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz-cutting off a vital energy corridor through which 20 percent of the world's petroleum and liquified natural gas (LNG) flow daily-and sending energy prices to new highs. And it is clear that the Administration does not have a plan to re-open the Strait-meaning prices will continue to climb," Heinrich continued. "The Administration dismissed or failed to fully appreciate the impact the closure of the Strait would have on domestic energy and household costs when it rushed into war with Iran and lacks a coherent strategy to end the war and stabilize domestic and global energy markets."

Heinrich concluded his letter to Secretary Wright by demanding answers to several questions about how the Trump administration prepared for the economic impacts of the war with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and Bab Al-Mandeb Strait, requesting documents and any analyses the Trump administration has prepared around the economic impact of the conflict.

Read the full letter here and below:

Secretary Wright:

In the days since the President's decision to enter into a war against Iran with no clear objectives and congressional approval, domestic and global energy prices have skyrocketed. I am deeply concerned that the President's decision to wage a reckless war on Iran will wreak havoc on energy markets for the foreseeable future-driving up energy costs for Americans across the country and causing global economic turmoil.

Soon after the war began, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) restricted passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz-cutting off a vital energy corridor through which 20 percent of the world's petroleum and liquified natural gas (LNG) flow daily-and sending energy prices to new highs. And it is clear that the Administration does not have a plan to re-open the Strait-meaning prices will continue to climb.

Less than 300 ships have reportedly passed through the Strait since the start of the war, with nearly 800 ships sitting idle in close proximity waiting to cross. Prior to the war, in comparison, around 130 vessels traversed the Strait daily.

The Administration dismissed or failed to fully appreciate the impact the closure of the Strait would have on domestic energy and household costs when it rushed into war with Iran and lacks a coherent strategy to end the war and stabilize domestic and global energy markets.

In light of these concerns and to better understand the impact of the war on energy markets, I request you provide the following information by April 28, 2026:

1. Prior to the war, what analysis did the Department perform to understand the range of impacts the war could have on domestic and global energy markets? Please provide copies of this analysis clearly identifying the impacts expected by the Department.
2. On March 11, 2026, the Department announced plans to release 172 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Did the analyses performed prior to the war commencing include potential releases from the SPR? Please describe any relevant assumptions and include copies of the analysis.
3. Prior to the war, did the Department furnish the White House or any cabinet agency or council (e.g., The National Energy Dominance Council) with assessments or reports describing the impact that closing the Strait of Hormuz would have on domestic and global energy markets? If so, please provide copies of those assessments or reports.
4. Have such reports been updated given the current impacts we are experiencing? If so, please provide copies of the updated analysis with detailed descriptions of how you are proceeding to forecast the magnitude and length of any impacts.
5. Prior to the war, did the Department conduct any assessments to understand the impact damage to Persian Gulf energy facilities or infrastructure would have on domestic and global energy markets? If so, provide a copy of those assessments.
6. Since the beginning of the war, describe in detail any analysis conducted by the Department to understand the impact an ongoing war will have on domestic and global energy markets. Please describe the sources of expertise and data the Department has employed to reach these conclusions.
7. Since the beginning of the war, has the Department furnished the White House or any cabinet agency or council (e.g., The National Energy Dominance Council) with assessments or reports describing the impact that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has had on domestic and global energy markets? If so, please provide copies of those assessments or reports with sources noted.
8. On March 10, 2025, you posted on X that "President Trump is maintaining stability of global energy during the military operation against Iran. The U.S. Navy successfully escorted an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz to ensure oil remains flowing to global markets." Several minutes after posting this information on your official DOE X account, you deleted the post. The White House later said that the U.S. Navy did not escort a tanker through the Strait of Hormuz. Explain why you posted that the U.S. Navy "successfully escorted an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz" and the genesis of the information in the post.
9. Following recent negotiations with the Iranians in Islamabad that ended without agreement, the President announced a blockade of all vessels entering or exiting Iranians ports. Prior to the President's announcement, did the Department assess the impact an American blockade on the Strait would have on domestic and global energy markets? If so, please describe in detail the findings of the assessment.
10. Iran has signaled that the Houthis, an Iranian-backed group in Yemen, could close the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf Aden and Arabian Sea. The Strait accounts for 4 million barrels of crude per day. Prior to the war and at any point since, has the Department furnished the White House or any cabinet agency or council (e.g., The National Energy Dominance Council) with assessments or reports describing the impact that closure to both the Strait of Hormuz and Bab Al-Mandeb Strait could have on domestic and global energy markets?

Thank you for your attention to this matter. If you have any questions, please contact my staff at (202) 224-4971.

Sincerely,

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