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

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A U.S.-imposed oil blockade initiated in February 2026 has subjected Cuba to fuel shortages, severe economic hardship, and power grid blackouts

United Nations rights experts condemned the U.S. oil blockade on Cuba as a violation of international law

High gas prices and rising living costs driven by the U.S. war on Iran, ongoing since February, have put Republicans on the defensive ahead of the November 3, 2026 midterm elections

Human rights advocates and United Nations experts condemned the U.S. economic and oil blockade on Cuba as an unlawful act of siege warfare that caused severe energy and human crises

An October 2026 Moody's estimate found that surging fuel prices, airfares, and mortgage rates tied to the U.S. war on Iran, ongoing since February, cost each American household an average of $2,000

Public dissatisfaction with affordability, inflation, and high gas prices stemming from the Iran war has driven down President Donald Trump's approval ratings ahead of the midterms

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

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 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 Iranian government is withholding salaries, pensions, and benefits from public-sector workers, internal security forces, and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps personnel due to financial strain.

U.S. Central Command and the U.S. Treasury Department froze approximately $350 million in Iranian cryptocurrency assets in October 2026.

The U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued a warning to financial institutions regarding potential Iranian regime misuse and diversion of religious tithes called khums.

U.S. Central Command Commander Adm. Brad Cooper stated that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is failing to pay its own military troops amid severe financial strain.

On October 16, 2026, President Donald Trump signed an executive order waiving new sanctions and tariffs provided for under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 was enacted by Congress to impose tariffs on major foreign purchasers of Russian energy and entities assisting Russia in evading sanctions.

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.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on October 18, 2026, that no sanctions were lifted on Russia and that only the diesel embargo was lifted during a 60-day examination period.

Senators Thom Tillis, John Cornyn, and Ted Cruz publicly criticized President Donald Trump's Russia sanctions waiver, with Tillis calling it beyond irresponsible and Cruz calling it a mistake.

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.