Vance: We Will Continue to Protect Navigation in Hormuz and Confront Iran's Practices

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said on Monday that large quantities of oil and gas continue to flow through the Strait of Hormuz, despite what he described as daily Iranian attempts to "intimidate" ships, affirming that the United States will continue to work to protect freedom of navigation and confront those practices.

Vance added in statements to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Andrews Joint Base in Maryland, heading to Greensboro, North Carolina, that Iran has responded to U.S. actions aimed at preventing it from acquiring nuclear weapons by targeting international shipping, noting that the U.S. Navy will continue to protect shipping movements, as it has done for the past eight decades.

Vance clarified that he does not want to preempt what President Donald Trump will announce, but he expects further discussions regarding Iran and maritime security during the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York this week.

The U.S. Vice President blamed Iran's practices against international navigation for rising energy and fuel prices, stating that "the administration is working to curb prices and alleviate burdens on Americans."

He noted that Trump has encouraged some states to reduce fuel taxes, adding that Washington "will continue to confront Iran's attempts to intimidate international shipping as long as they persist."

Vance's statements came after remarks by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bissent on Monday, who spoke about tightening sanctions on Iran, stating that all Iranian airlines will cease operations starting September 23 due to the threat of secondary sanctions on air service providers.

Bissent added that Chinese officials are "heavily engaged" in the U.S. economic pressure campaign against Iran.

Bissent told CNBC after concluding talks on Sunday evening with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng that when an Iranian plane lands at any airport, "you cannot refuel it, provide landing services, or sell tickets for it, otherwise you will be excluded from the dollar-based financial system."

He added that the United States is having positive discussions with Chinese financial authorities, including Chinese Central Bank Governor Pan Gongsheng, regarding compliance with U.S. sanctions imposed on Iran.

Regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, Vance expressed optimism about the possibility of "making progress," suggesting that Trump may meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a day or two.

Vance described the war as "the toughest international conflicts" that faced Trump's efforts to reach a settlement, but he expressed confidence that it can ultimately be resolved, stating that it is "just a matter of time."

A knowledgeable American source said that President Donald Trump asked his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, during a phone call, to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries, according to Axios.

In another context, Vance defended the restrictions imposed by Trump on the access of CNN, MS NOW, and Politico journalists to the White House, considering that it does not represent a ban on the media, but rather a halt to what he described as "special privileges" for access to the presidency.

He claimed that about 92% of the reports published by the three institutions about Trump and his administration are negative, considering that they "do not reflect the reality of American positions or public opinion."

He added that the Republican White House is not obligated to grant special privileges to institutions that he said engage in what amounts to "extreme leftist propaganda."