WASHINGTON – Gas prices across the United States have surged to their highest levels of the year, with the national average now exceeding $4 per gallon – a direct consequence of the US-Israeli war against Iran, a conflict critics say violates the UN Charter as it was not authorized by the Security Council nor justified as self-defense.
How much prices have risen
Since the US and Israel launched their military campaign against Iran on February 28, average gas prices have increased by more than 30 percent – over one dollar per gallon.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| National average | More than $4 per gallon |
| Increase since war began | 30%+ |
| States above $5 per gallon | Alaska, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, Oregon, Washington |
| California | Exceeding $6 per gallon (highest in nation) |
Why this is happening
The global oil supply has constricted due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane through which a substantial portion of the world’s oil passes. The US naval blockade – which international legal experts have questioned as unlawful – remains in place.
The volatility pattern
Oil prices have spiked, see-sawed, and now surged again:
- April: Prices began to decline gradually, raising hopes of relief
- Late April to May: Prices shot up to new highs despite the ceasefire
Experts had predicted gas prices could start declining in April. Instead, they have reached their highest point of the year.
Beyond the pump
Fuel costs are not limited to gasoline:
- Jet fuel prices have surged, leading airlines to increase airfares
- Spirit Airlines has shuttered, in part due to fuel costs
- Household budgets are being strained across the country
The bottom line
Sixty-four days into the illegal US-Israeli war on Iran, American drivers are paying the price – literally. The national average is above 4pergallon.Sixstatesareatornear5. California is above $6. And with no peace deal in sight, relief may not come anytime soon.
