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

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The joint military campaign by the United States and Israel against Iran has been ongoing since February 2026

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the U.S. war on Iran, ongoing since February, has caused at least 3,400 deaths and 33,000 injuries

An October 2026 AP-NORC poll found that seven in ten American voters believe the government should prioritize ending the U.S. war on Iran, ongoing since February

A September 2026 Fox News poll found that six in ten Americans oppose military action against Iran that has continued since February, and more than 70 percent believe Donald Trump lacks an end plan

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

Alberta holds the world's fourth-largest proven oil reserves and sends approximately 90% of its crude oil exports to the United States.

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.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported that an oil tanker carrying over two million barrels of crude oil caught fire after striking a mine while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on October 17, 2026.

U.S. Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper stated that 400 ships carrying 100 million barrels of oil transited the Strait of Hormuz during the second week of October 2026.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on October 17, 2026, that Russian diesel would have been sold regardless of U.S. intervention and that the 60-day sanctions pause allows evaluation of economic impacts.

The Trump administration authorized certain transactions involving Russian diesel on October 9, 2026, to allow Russia to supply diesel to U.S. and global markets.

Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Russian oil refineries, including an oil-loading terminal linked to the Novoshakhtinsk refinery in Rostov-on-Don, have disrupted Russian diesel production and global energy supplies.

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.

President Donald Trump criticized Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries, attributing them to rising domestic U.S. diesel prices.

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.

President Donald Trump's presidential approval rating stood at 38% in the Silver Bulletin polling average, affected by economic fatigue and the war with Iran.

Incumbent Republican Senator Jon Husted broke with President Donald Trump by stating that the war with Iran needs to end to lower gas prices.

Voter frustration over rising prices and the war in Iran made several 2026 U.S. Senate contests surprisingly competitive.

Blake Gendebien criticized Donald Trump's military actions in Iran, citing their impact on gas prices and lack of congressional approval.

Democratic challenger Janelle Stelson and Republican Representative Scott Perry participated in their single election debate covering the Iran war, healthcare, and the 2020 presidential election aftermath.