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A sharp increase in fuel prices following the US-Israel military strikes on Iran has sparked anger and anxiety among Americans, many of whom say the war is hitting them directly every time they stop at the pump.The national average price of gasoline climbed to about USD 3.48 per gallon on Monday, up from around USD 2.90 a month ago, according to price trackers, after crude oil surged amid fears of prolonged disruptions to global energy supplies.Across the US, motorists expressed frustration that a conflict thousands of miles away is now squeezing household budgets already strained by high living costs.Standing beside his son’s pickup truck at a gas station in Iowa, Francisco Castillo, a 43-year-old factory worker who voted for Donald Trump in the last election, said the rising prices were not what he expected.
“I thought that he was going to bring some of those things back,” Castillo was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. “He said he was going to bring gas down, but the war in Iran is now making everything worse.”For voters like Castillo, the issue is simple: politicians may debate strategy, but ordinary people are left paying the bill.“They do what benefits them,” he said. “I have to go to work every day no matter what.”
For many Americans, the rising cost of fuel is becoming another reminder that geopolitical conflicts can quickly translate into higher everyday expenses.
Why gas prices are soaring
The surge in US fuel prices is linked to a sharp jump in global oil prices since the conflict began on February 28, when the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran.Crude prices have jumped from around USD 67 per barrel before the war to nearly USD 100, with Brent crude briefly crossing the USD 100 mark, the highest level in about four years.Energy markets have been rattled largely because of disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but critical shipping route in the Gulf through which nearly 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply passes. Maritime traffic through the waterway has slowed dramatically amid fears of escalation, raising concerns about global supply shortages.The conflict has also affected shipments of natural gas and other commodities such as fertiliser, amplifying fears of wider economic ripple effects.Analysts warn that if the conflict drags on, prices could rise further, potentially pushing US gasoline toward $4 per gallon in the coming weeks.
“Prices are already high”
At gas stations across the country, drivers said the increases are already forcing them to rethink spending.In Pennsylvania, Kathryn Price Engelhard, a 70-year-old retiree, said she is buying fuel more cautiously because she lives on a fixed income.“I look at the prices of oil in the past and the stupid war, how did we — how did anybody — think that that was not going to impact oil?” she said.
“Of course it’s impacting oil.” Others said they have little choice but to pay whatever the price is.Some electric vehicle owners say the spike has reinforced their decision to ditch gasoline-powered cars.
Trump’s response amid rising prices
Facing mounting criticism over rising fuel costs, US President Donald Trump said the price spike would be temporary and defended the military action against Iran.Trump said the conflict was necessary to eliminate what he described as a security threat and insisted oil prices would fall once the war ends.On Tuesday, he also announced steps aimed at easing the pressure on energy markets.“We’re also waiving certain oil-related sanctions to reduce prices,” Trump told reporters. “We’re going to take those sanctions off till this straightens out.”At the same time, Trump warned Iran against attempting to block global oil supplies.“I will not allow a terrorist regime to hold the world hostage and attempt to stop the globe’s oil supply,” he said.
“And if Iran does anything to do that, they’ll get hit at a much, much harder level.”The president has argued that the price surge is a “short-term” consequence of the conflict and will reverse once the situation stabilises.However, the spike is already emerging as a political issue ahead of the US midterm elections later this year.A recent poll found more than half of US voters oppose the military action against Iran, while about three-quarters say they are worried the conflict will drive up fuel prices.
English (US) ·