A gas station in the USA: Americans have to pay significantly more for their gasoline than before the war.Image: keystone
With no prospect of a quick peace in Iran, the price of gasoline in the US has risen to its highest level since the start of the war.
April 29, 2026, 05:34April 29, 2026, 05:34
On Tuesday, Americans paid an average of $4.18 for a gallon of gasoline. This was confirmed by the AAA automobile association upon request. The last time the price of gasoline was at a similarly high level was around four years ago, after the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. At the start of the Iran war at the end of February, the average value was $2.98. Since then, the price has risen by around 40 percent.
The price of oil is rising significantly again.
The background to the increase is also Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which is important for global oil trade. Since the fighting began at the end of February, shipping traffic in the strait has come to a virtual standstill. The Gulf states’ oil exports go primarily to East Asian countries such as China and Japan. However, prices for the raw material are rising worldwide, which is why drivers in Europe and the USA are also struggling with this.
The increase is an uncomfortable issue for the US government: President Donald Trump promised during his election campaign to halve energy prices in the country. However, around six months before the important midterm elections for Congress, he is far from that.
According to the government, this is only a temporary increase. As the US Energy Agency (EIA) announced, even after the Strait of Hormuz opens, it could take months for shipping traffic to return to its usual level. (sda/dpa)