Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy predicted Sunday that American consumers will see immediate relief at the pump once the Strait of Hormuz reopens, offering a rare note of optimism amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict that has sent energy costs soaring.
“Well, listen, so I’m at [the Department of Transportation (DOT)], I’m not in the energy sector. But, from all the briefings I’ve had, once the Strait opens, you’ll see prices come down, come down immediately,” Duffy told ABC News’s Martha Raddatz on “This Week.”
The secretary acknowledged that a full return to pre-conflict price levels would take time, but insisted that the reopening would trigger an immediate drop. “There’s going to be a tail to that. It’s going to take time to get back to where we were before this conflict began, but you’re going to see, I think, immediate relief once the Strait opens,” he added.
His comments come as the average price of a gallon of gas in the U.S. has surged to about $4.45, according to AAA, up from roughly $3.17 a year ago. The spike has been driven largely by Iranian military blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. The administration has faced mounting political pressure over rising costs, with critics like Representative Steve Scalise clashing with media hosts over the issue.
President Trump announced Sunday evening that the U.S. will launch “Project Freedom” starting Monday morning, Middle East time, to assist in freeing ships trapped in the strait. In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote that “countries from all over the World, almost all of which are not involved in the Middle Eastern dispute” have requested American help to guide their vessels safely out of the restricted waterways. “For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business,” he said.
The Iranian military has impeded shipping in the Strait of Hormuz amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Tehran, causing oil prices to spike. The disruption has had ripple effects across multiple sectors, with airlines slashing flights as jet fuel costs soar. Meanwhile, the Treasury Department has warned U.S. ships that paying tolls to Iran could risk sanctions, adding another layer of complexity to the crisis.
Duffy’s reassurances come as the administration faces a broader economic squeeze. March inflation hit 3.5%, stoked by the conflict, and critics have pointed to the energy crisis as a drag on the president’s agenda. Some Democrats have also slammed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for skipping a Hill briefing before the Iran war, as gas prices surged.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remains uncertain, but Duffy’s comments signal the administration’s hope that Trump’s “Project Freedom” can quickly restore normal shipping and ease the financial burden on American households.
