Vance Recasts Iran War Around $4.06 Gasoline as Conflict Enters Month 6

3 articles · Updated · Foreign Policy · Aug 18

J.D. Vance said keeping oil and gas cheap for Americans is now “goal No. 1,” shifting the administration’s public emphasis as the Iran war drags into its sixth month after starting as a six-week campaign.
Average U.S. gasoline prices have climbed to $4.06 a gallon from $3.14 a year ago, while diesel has jumped to $5.46 from $3.69, turning pump prices into a political problem ahead of midterm elections.
The price pressure reflects a still-choked Strait of Hormuz, where daily ship transits remain barely above single digits versus more than 100 before the war and 5 million to 6 million barrels a day remain off global markets.
That squeeze is spreading beyond crude: global benchmark oil is back above $90 a barrel, the diesel crack topped $100 for the first time, and U.S. refineries running at 96% still cannot meet demand.
Trump quickly restated that stopping Iran’s nuclear program remains the top priority, even as Tehran reportedly resists talks, seeks $300 billion in reparations and may escalate attacks on regional energy infrastructure.