Kevin Hassett Blasted Over Failed Promise About Strait Of Hormuz Drama

Key Points:

• CNN’s Jake Tapper confronted National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett over his earlier optimistic prediction that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would soon return to normal, highlighting that the crucial waterway remains effectively closed nearly six months into the conflict with Iran.
• Tapper pointed out Iran’s recent demands for reopening the strait, including lifting the naval blockade and sanctions, war reparations, release of frozen assets, and an end to attacks on Iran’s allies, questioning when normalcy might realistically resume.
• Despite U.S. claims of nearing a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing talks with Oman, Iran insists it will not reopen the waterway unless its conditions are met, prolonging the disruption.
• Gas prices in the U.S. remain elevated, averaging $4.01 per gallon compared to $3.15 last year, with Hassett acknowledging prices are still higher than desired but expressing hope for significant decreases once the Gulf situation is resolved.
• Tapper repeatedly challenged Hassett’s characterization of current shipping traffic as robust, emphasizing that the volume of traffic through the strait is far from the “heck of a lot” Hassett previously predicted.