By Jim Thomas | Thursday, 12 March 2026 10:34 PM EDT
Lee Zeldin, head of the Environmental Protection Agency, stated on Thursday that recent volatility in global oil markets reinforces the case for expanding U.S. energy and mineral production. He argued that the United States has ample domestic resources and should depend less on foreign suppliers.
The EPA administrator’s comments followed remarks from the International Energy Agency, which reported Wednesday that member countries would release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves—the largest stockpiling in the agency’s history—due to tensions involving Iran.
Iran has threatened to target vessels in the Strait of Hormuz following U.S.-Israeli strikes, effectively closing a major energy shipping route. This disruption compounds security issues in regional maritime corridors such as the Red Sea and Suez Canal, where Houthi attacks have led to rerouting and higher costs.
According to the International Energy Agency, the Strait of Hormuz carries about 25% of the world’s seaborne oil trade.
Speaking from Tokyo, Zeldin said he was attending a White House National Energy Dominance Council event with Energy Secretary Doug Burgum and other U.S. officials, as well as expected meetings with representatives of Japan and other Asian countries. He noted that discussions centered on critical minerals, supply chains, and reducing reliance on China.
When questioned about oil market concerns, Zeldin emphasized the issue’s significance for both U.S. consumers and global stability. He also stated President Donald Trump was seeking a quick resolution to conflicts and expressed confidence in the president’s national security team.
“The Department of War’s activities inside of the strait to help ensure safe passage, the offensive actions that are taken very proactively and purposefully and more, they all add up to a stabilizing effect on this dynamic of the conflict,” he said.
Zeldin’s clearest message centered on domestic supply. He asserted that the United States has extensive reserves of oil, natural gas, and critical minerals and should treat the disruption as a warning about overreliance on overseas sources.
“We shouldn’t have to be relying as much on these foreign sources,” Zeldin added. “And I think this has served as an important reminder of that.”
