Vance links US naval presence in Hormuz to gasoline prices

U.S. Vice President JD Vance claimed gasoline would cost three times as much without the U.S. Navy's presence near the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at a CBS town hall, he acknowledged that current prices were too high.

Vance said U.S. naval forces were keeping oil and gas moving through the strait. He warned that withdrawing from the region would drive energy prices higher.

He identified two U.S. objectives for ending the conflict with Iran: securing a commitment that Tehran would not rebuild uranium enrichment capacity and avoiding a global energy crisis when American forces leave.

The United States and Israel began strikes on Iran on February 28. Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum to cease hostilities in mid-June but later exchanged further strikes.

The Strait of Hormuz is a key route for oil, petroleum products and liquefied natural gas shipments. The conflict has sharply restricted shipping along that route.