Following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a two-week ceasefire with Iran, numerous congressional Republicans expressed their support for the administration’s peace talks. However, many avoided addressing a significant issue: oil.
Oil prices dropped after Trump’s announcement on Tuesday night that the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened as part of the ceasefire agreement, a development many Republicans welcomed ahead of the midterm elections. Nonetheless, uncertainties remain about when international oil shipments will normalize through the strait, raising concerns about Iran’s increased influence over this crucial waterway, which handles about 20% of global oil traffic.
Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), a member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, emphasized the need for vigilance. “This is an important step toward ending the conflict, but we need to remain vigilant. We must maintain pressure on Iran to follow through on its commitment to re-open the Strait of Hormuz and agree to a deal that achieves our objectives,” he stated.
Reports from Iran state media on Wednesday indicated that the country might close the strait again if Israel continues to bomb targets in Lebanon. The White House downplayed this threat, noting that Lebanon was not included in the ceasefire agreement.
Despite the situation, the president seems open to allowing Iran some control over the strait, including the imposition of crossing fees on ships, a prospect that has alarmed industry leaders.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), known for his hawkish stance on Iran, expressed concerns on X regarding the initial reports of the ceasefire deal. “The supposed negotiating document, in my view, has some troubling aspects, but time will tell. I look forward to the architects of this proposal, the Vice President and others, coming forward to Congress and explaining how a negotiated deal meets our national security objectives in Iran,” he wrote.
Energy and Natural Resources Chair Mike Lee (R-Utah) shared a positive outlook on social media, calling the ceasefire “excellent news,” though he did not address the decline in oil prices or the ongoing concerns about energy markets. His office did not respond to requests for comment.
In the House, Energy and Commerce Chair Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) focused his comments on military goals rather than the energy impact of the conflict. “I pray that the end of hostilities will be lasting, that the Iranian regime permanently ends their nuclear ambitions, and stops their spread of terror once and for all,” he wrote.
Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), another vocal Republican on energy matters, expressed cautious optimism about the ceasefire agreement. “We have to keep our eyes wide open obviously, it’s not like the Iranian regime is good for keeping its word, but in my mind, this is a pretty good breakthrough,” he remarked.
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) was one of the few GOP lawmakers to comment on energy and Iran on that day. Instead of highlighting falling oil prices, he advocated for American energy independence. The president and his allies have been promoting increased U.S. fossil fuel production as a safeguard against global disruptions, despite average gasoline prices rising from $3.25 a year ago to over $4.
“If the past two months have taught us anything, it’s that we can’t put a price tag on American energy independence and dominance,” Biggs stated on social media.
Democrats keep up attacks
The ceasefire announcement and the resulting drop in oil prices did not deter Democrats from criticizing the administration’s policies, which they argue are detrimental to American consumers.
Minority Leader Chuck Schumer highlighted the ongoing volatility in the Strait of Hormuz during a press conference, expressing skepticism about any immediate relief at the gas pumps. “At home here, American families have paid the price for this war. Gas prices have skyrocketed in just a matter of days. They’re not going to change until August. And in general, the world oil markets will be unsettled for years,” Schumer stated.
House Energy and Commerce ranking member Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) acknowledged the ceasefire but noted the disruption to the oil supply chain. “Even though there’s now a ceasefire, the oil supply chain has unfortunately been disrupted — and may be for a long time,” Pallone remarked.
Iran’s newfound control over Strait of Hormuz traffic, a situation that did not exist before, is providing Democrats with further arguments against the president’s choice to join Israel in military actions against Iran.
“A waterway that was free to the world is now a toll booth that Iran controls,” wrote Rep. Mike Levin (D-Calif.) on social media. “Every barrel of oil that gets taxed on the way through raises prices for American families.”
Andres Picon contributed to this report.
