Lost In The Iran Noise: American Energy Leadership Still Matters

David Blackmon David Blackmon is an energy writer and consultant based in Texas. He spent 40 years in the oil and gas business, where he specialized in public policy and communications. August 01, 2026 12:08 PM ET Lost in the breathless media coverage of Iran and the Strait of Hormuz is a critical reality that too many politicians, activists and talking heads prefer to ignore: Record U.S. oil and natural gas production has helped keep a historic supply disruption from becoming a far worse price shock. American energy leadership still matters. And if we want it to keep mattering, we need to stop shooting ourselves in the foot.Oil prices can move in seconds on a tweet or a missile launch. Tankers, refineries, pipelines, and the trucks that deliver fuel to your local station move in weeks. Th