U.S. officials stated that Iran increased attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz to raise global oil prices and pressure President Donald Trump before U.S. midterm elections.

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Average U.S. gas prices reached $4.26 per gallon on October 21, 2026, up almost $1.21 from the prior year following U.S. strikes on Iran and conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, according to AAA

The White House ordered U.S. Central Command to pause military strikes against Iranian anti-ship missile launchers and drone positions near the Strait of Hormuz to avoid escalation before U.S. midterm elections.

The U.S. naval blockade has cost Iran an estimated $25 billion in lost crude oil export revenue since the war began.

Average gas prices in the United States reached $4.31 a gallon on October 17, 2026, representing an increase of nearly 45 percent since the start of the U.S. war with Iran.

U.S. national average gas prices reached $4.28 per gallon and diesel reached $6.32 per gallon following U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran in February 2026.

The United States launched a retaliatory naval blockade targeting Iran-linked shipping in April 2026 following an Iranian blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper stated that U.S. forces have helped escort and usher out more than one billion barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy Chief Adm. Ali Ozmai warned in October 2026 that any vessels turning off tracking systems while transiting the Strait of Hormuz would be considered hostile.

Rising diesel fuel prices and increased living costs facing American households have been driven in part by the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran

Ongoing military conflict involving Iran has driven up fuel expenses, with Korean American voter Rebecca Larocco reporting local gas prices rising by almost $1.50 a gallon.

Vice President JD Vance attributed elevated U.S. gas prices to Joe Biden's administration losing roughly 20% of American refining capacity, as well as Iranian disruptions to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Energy experts attribute elevated global fuel prices primarily to President Donald Trump's ongoing war against Iran rather than Russian market constraints

A container ship and a dry bulk carrier were sunk near the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours after being hit by projectiles in separate incidents.

Iran has launched attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz since February 2026 to restrict transit and gain leverage over Washington during negotiations.

Higher energy prices stemming from the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, which began in late February 2026, have cost American consumers $133 billion total, according to Brown University

Global diesel prices rose significantly following the outbreak of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran in late February 2026, reaching an average U.S. price of $6.28 per gallon.

US military involvement in Iran is the primary driver of rising domestic energy costs

President Donald Trump urged Ukraine to reduce refinery attacks citing global diesel price increases exacerbated by the U.S. war with Iran

Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on October 11, 2026, that global fuel price increases are caused by the war in the Middle East following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran rather than Ukrainian strikes

U.S. national average diesel prices reached $6.28 per gallon in October 2026 following market disruptions caused by the war in Iran, down from a September 2026 peak of $6.52 per gallon.