Fuel prices are rising in America due to the impact of the war on global energy supplies

Gasoline and diesel prices in the United States are witnessing a significant rise as the war waged by America and Israel on Iran restricts oil and fuel exports, which may constitute a political test for the Republican Party of President Donald Trump before the midterm congressional elections in November.

Fuel prices jumped more than 10% this week, with the price of oil rising above $90 a barrel, its highest level in years, adding to the suffering of consumers already suffering from inflation.

On Thursday, Trump downplayed the rise in gasoline prices in an interview with Reuters, saying: “If they go up, let them go up.”

The president had pledged to reduce energy prices and unleash oil and gas exploration in the United States during his second term, but most of his term was characterized by volatility and uncertainty, amid policy changes, such as tariffs and geopolitical turmoil.

The United States is the largest oil producer in the world and a major exporter, but it also imports millions of barrels daily, being the largest oil consumer in the world.

As of the day before yesterday (Friday), the average price of regular gasoline in the United States reached $3.32 per gallon, an increase of 11% from last week, and the highest level since September 2024, according to data from the American Automobile Association. The price of diesel reached $4.33, up 15% from last week, reaching the highest level since November 2023.

Motorists in parts of the Midwest and South, including states that supported Trump, saw some of the largest increases in fuel costs since the conflict in Iran began.

In Georgia, a swing state, average retail gasoline prices rose 40.1 cents per gallon over the past week, according to gas price tracking website GasBuddy.

Andrina McDaniel, a health insurance employee in South Fulton, Georgia, said she was surprised that prices rose dramatically overnight.

She added: “Prices have risen very quickly,” indicating that she does not agree with the war at all.

McDaniel, a Democrat, said she currently only drives for the most important things, and feels lucky because she works from home, so she doesn’t have to drive as much as others. Georgia voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 elections.

Other states, including Indiana and West Virginia, saw prices rise by 44.3 cents and 43.9 cents, respectively.

Analysts said more rises could be on the way, as oil prices continue to rise.

The day before yesterday (Friday), US oil futures settled at $90.90 per barrel, an increase of nearly $10, which is the largest rise in one day since April 2020.

“Given the current market conditions, the average price of gasoline in the United States may rise to between $3.50 and $3.70 per gallon in the coming days if oil continues to rise and supply disruptions continue,” said Patrick De Haan, an analyst at Gas Body.

The turmoil in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz, a major trade corridor, led to an increase in demand for American oil abroad, which in turn led to an increase in oil prices at local refineries as well.