Oil and Gas Experts in State Department Fired in DOGE Efforts Prior to Iran War

"The Trump administration purged the State Department of its oil and gas experts last year, prior to launching its war on Iran, including people who would be responsible for examining scenarios related to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a new report says as the gas prices spike."

"The people laid off included those who would have been responsible for modeling scenarios like Iran's current closure of the Strait of Hormuz, as well as those who could have helped prepare for Iran's retaliatory strikes on U.S. and Israeli assets in surrounding countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia."

"The layoffs also included staff with professional and diplomatic ties to Middle East oil and gas companies, who would have been able to liaise with those entities amid the war."

The Trump administration purged oil and gas analysts from the State Department's Bureau of Energy Resources as part of efficiency cuts, leaving only staff focused on critical minerals and clean energy. The eliminated positions included experts responsible for modeling scenarios involving Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz and preparing for Iranian retaliatory strikes on U.S. and Israeli assets in the Middle East. The layoffs also removed staff with diplomatic ties to Middle East oil and gas companies who could have facilitated communication during the conflict. This occurred prior to the administration's war with Iran, which has since caused gas prices to spike significantly.

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