Fox News chief political analyst Brit Hume noted Monday that the United States maintains massive leverage over the Iranian regime, despite Tehran’s recent threats to close the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking on Special Report with Bret Baier, Hume pointed out that while military strikes have been precise, the administration has deliberately left Iran’s primary oil export infrastructure intact. This strategic restraint keeps the regime’s “crown jewel” at risk should they continue to escalate.
“The United States could cut off a huge percentage of Iran’s oil industry and export capability if it ever got around to actually hitting those oil tanks,” Hume told Baier. He emphasized that the deep-water port at Kharg Island remains a primary target that could leave Iran in a “very vulnerable position” if the military chooses to act. Hume argued that while the Strait may be currently contested, U.S. naval power will eventually ensure it remains open to global trade.
The analyst further questioned the logic of Iran’s strategy, noting that the Islamic Republic depends on the waterway more than any other nation for its own economic survival. “Iran depends, perhaps more than any nation on earth, on the shipment of oil through the Strait of Hormuz,” Hume explained. He suggested that a true closure would be a self-inflicted wound that the regime could not withstand for long.
President Trump has already moved to internationalize the effort to secure the region, calling on nations like China, Japan, and the U.K. to protect their own interests. On Truth Social, the President announced that several countries would be joining the U.S. in sending warships to the Strait. The goal is to distribute the burden of security among the nations most affected by Iranian aggression while the U.S. continues its targeted strikes.
As the 2026 midterms approach, the administration is focusing on a “Peace Through Strength” surge to stabilize energy markets and protect the “American Manufacturing Renaissance.” Supporters of the mission argue that the coalition effort proves the President is putting “America First” by forcing other nations to pay for their own trade security. For Hume, the “biological truth” of the situation is that Iran cannot win a prolonged economic war where its own lifeline is at stake.
The ongoing conflict has already seen over 90 military targets neutralized, and the President has made it clear he is “locked and loaded” for further action if necessary. By holding the regime’s oil industry in the balance, the White House aims to force a diplomatic surrender that ensures Tehran never obtains a nuclear weapon. For now, the focus remains on keeping the global supply chain moving while the “clown show” of Iranian threats continues.