Ryder Thomas waited at a Los Angeles gas station as the price for a full tank rose to $130 – about $30 more than before the United States and Israel launched air strikes against Iran on 28 February. “I’m angry about the price, but I’m even angrier about why it’s so high,” the 28‑year‑old said to AFP.
U.S. pump prices have surged to their highest level since early 2022, when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine triggered a global oil price spike. The conflict in the Middle East, ignited by the U.S.–Israel bombing campaign on Iran, has tightened supply chains and pushed crude oil prices upward.
The war, ordered by President Donald Trump, has drawn widespread disapproval in domestic polls, with a clear majority questioning its purpose. “There was absolutely no need for this war. It’s just like when we invaded Iraq—there were no weapons of mass destruction,” Thomas added, calling the president “an idiot.”
Trump has defended the operation as essential to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and has repeatedly promised a short‑duration conflict. Nonetheless, Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime corridor that carries roughly one‑fifth of the world’s oil and gas exports, further constraining supply.
The supply squeeze has lifted California gasoline to over $6 per gallon, compared with about $4.50 before the war. Higher fuel costs are expected to raise prices for a range of consumer goods, from food to clothing, as transportation expenses ripple through the economy.
Other motorists expressed similar concerns. David Chavez, waiting in a line at a Costco fuel station, said the higher prices were “not nice,” but cautioned against blaming a single individual for the situation, noting that “we don’t know everything that happens behind closed doors.” Chavez, a former Democratic voter, now supports Trump, citing dissatisfaction with President Joe Biden’s handling of immigration and the economy. He also blamed oil companies for inflating prices and pointed to California’s stricter environmental regulations as a factor.
Among those hardest hit is 73‑year‑old Flo, who declined to give her full name. “With gas this high, I go to the food bank now, more so than ever,” she told AFP. The retiree, who earns roughly $3,000 a month from a pension and part‑time work, said rising fuel costs have forced her to reduce driving and stretch an already tight budget.
The escalation in the Middle East highlights the vulnerability of global energy markets to geopolitical unrest. As oil prices remain elevated, consumers across the United States and beyond may continue to face higher living costs, while policymakers grapple with balancing security objectives against domestic economic pressures.
