WASHINGTON, D.C. — Gas prices continue to surge nationwide — with the national average now approaching $4 per gallon.
The conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States continues to shake global energy markets. That could change in response to President Trump’s announcement of a five-day pause in attacks. Trump also suggested Tuesday that a deal with Iran could be within reach.
Gas prices are climbing — for the third week in a row.
AAA says the national average now sits at $3.98 per gallon — the highest since 2022, and up more than a dollar in just one month. The conflict with Iran is the primary driver of the rising prices.
“The volatility in the oil market was probably one of the most obvious things that was going to happen. And yet it seems like they didn’t think about it,” said Congressman Josh Riley, D-N.Y.
Democrats on Capitol Hill say their constituents are paying the price, for what they call, poor planning by the administration.
“You talk to folks across upstate New York who are struggling with utility bills, struggling with health insurance costs, struggling with car insurance costs, struggling with grocery prices. And now on top of all that, they’re getting hit with $3 or $4 for gas. It’s totally unacceptable for folks who are just really trying to survive day to day,” said Rep. Riley.
However, President Trump suggested Tuesday that a deal is within reach — after claiming Monday that Iran is willing to come to the table.
“I didn’t call — they called. They want to make a deal,” said President Trump. “We are very willing to make a deal, it’s got to be a good deal and it’s got to be no more wars, no more nuclear weapons. They’re not going to have nuclear weapons anymore. They’re agreeing to that.”
Iran originally disputed those claims — though officials confirmed that messages are being exchanged through third-party negotiators, with Pakistan emerging as a potential host for face-to-face talks.
However, strikes between Israel and Iran — paired with ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz — have analysts and consumers on edge. Iran has used the strategic waterway that transports roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply as leverage, and has been successful in disrupting tanker traffic through the strait.
President Trump claimed Tuesday that Iran has agreed to “no nuclear weapons.” But so far, leaders in Iran’s regime have largely denied the president’s claims of “positive discussions.”
The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday afternoon that the Pentagon is planning to deploy about 3,000 soldiers from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East to support operations against Iran. The report emphasized that a final decision to put boots on the ground has not been made, but that deploying the soldiers gives the president several strategic options.
