It is no secret that gas prices in the United States have skyrocketed from what they used to be. According to the Business Insider,“On average, gas prices across all US states have risen by 31.03% in the past month, according to data from AAA’s Fuel Price Tracker.”
This price increase has caused confusion as to why it is happening because gas prices have been objectively affordable recently.
The main cause of this issue is due to the conflict in the Middle East. Iran has been attacking the energy infrastructures located there.
The Strait of Hormuz, a strait between the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf (a key area in the oil industry) is being threatened by the Iranians. They are continuing their threats in this region due to the presence of the US and Israelis in the Gulf. This Iranian takeover makes a large impact on the oil industry. The BBC reports, “About 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) usually passes through the strait […].”
Iran is also threatening the vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, causing less of them to travel through. The BBC found, “At least 21 vessels have been hit or targeted, or have reported attacks, since the start of the war, according to an AFP news agency tally on 18 March.”
Though it is uncertain when gas prices will increase or decrease for sure, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has made a prediction. According to the Fortune, “The EIA suggests gasoline prices are already near their peak, and will mostly moderate for the rest of 2026 and throughout 2027, as transit through the strait gradually resumes starting in April 2026.”
