US Gas Prices Surge Past $4.39 as Iran Standoff Blocks Strait of Hormuz

Key facts

• AAA national average regular gas price hit $4.392 on Friday, up from $4.30 on Thursday.
• The price is $0.333 higher than a week ago and $1.205 above the year-ago average of $3.187.
• Brent crude briefly surged above $126 per barrel before settling over $111; WTI futures exceeded $105.
• 41 tankers carrying 69 million barrels of Iranian oil are blocked from sale, worth over $6 billion.
• California gas prices exceeded $6 per gallon on Thursday.
• The highest recorded AAA national average was $5.016 on June 14, 2022.
• US Sen. Amy Klobuchar blamed the administration's war with Iran for squeezing Minnesota families and farmers.

Lede: Gas Prices Hit Four-Year High as Iran Crisis Deepens

The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in the United States soared to $4.392 on Friday, a nine-cent jump in a single day and the highest level in nearly four years, as the Trump administration's naval blockade of Iranian ports and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz show no signs of resolution. Nationally, prices have risen 27 cents over the past week alone, according to the American Automobile Association, pushing the average to $1.12 above where it stood a year ago. The last time prices were this high was late July 2022, when the national average briefly touched $5.016.

The Blockade and the Strait: Two Fronts of Economic Pressure

The price surge is the direct consequence of two coordinated U.S. actions: a naval siege on Iranian ports and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which about a fifth of the world's oil passes. Iran has blocked the strait in retaliation, and diplomatic talks have stalled. U.S. Central Command Commander Adm. Brad Cooper declared on Wednesday that 41 tankers carrying 69 million barrels of Iranian oil — worth an estimated $6 billion — are now unable to sell their cargo. “The blockade is highly effective and U.S. forces remain fully committed to total enforcement,” Cooper said in a statement.

Oil Markets React: Brent Crude Spikes Above $126

Global oil benchmarks have reacted violently to the standoff. Brent crude, the international benchmark, jumped nearly 7% at one point, trading above $126 per barrel before retreating to over $111. West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark, traded above $105 per barrel in early trading on Friday. the U.S. military is preparing to brief President Donald Trump on new plans for potential action in the Iran war, raising fears of a wider conflict that could further disrupt supplies.

Political Fallout: Trump Defends Strategy as Approval Ratings Sink

President Trump has insisted that time is on his side in the standoff, even as he rejects Tehran's offers of a preliminary deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. When asked about the latest price increase on Thursday, Trump told reporters, “And you know what? And we’re not going to have a nuclear weapon in the hands of Iran.” But the political cost is mounting. Public opinion polls show the president's approval rating hitting record lows amid growing discontent with the conflict. Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, who is running for governor, posted on X: “Minnesotans are paying the price for this administration’s war with Iran as gas prices rise and squeeze families, small businesses, and farmers across our state.”

Economic Ripple Effects: From Philadelphia Shrimpers to California Drivers

The spike in energy prices is fueling inflation and economic uncertainty across multiple sectors. In Philadelphia and Warren, Michigan, residents have voiced concerns over the cost of gas. U.S. shrimpers face a “double whammy” of soaring fuel costs and delayed tariff refunds. California, home to nearly 40 million people, saw petrol prices hit more than $6 per gallon on Thursday, the highest in the nation. The AAA noted that the national average of $4.392 is still below the all-time record of $5.016 set in June 2022, but the pace of increase — nine cents in one day — has alarmed economists.

What Comes Next: No End in Sight for the Standoff

With no diplomatic breakthrough in sight and the Strait of Hormuz remaining effectively closed, analysts expect further upward pressure on prices. The Trump administration has framed the price hikes as a temporary cost of achieving its military objectives, but the duration of the blockade and the lack of a clear exit strategy leave consumers and businesses bracing for more pain. The White House did not respond to requests for comment on Friday. As the conflict with Iran enters its third month, the question of how long Americans will bear the burden of $4-plus gasoline — and whether the political calculus will shift — remains open.

The bottom line

• The national average gas price hit $4.392 on Friday, up 27 cents in a week and $1.12 above last year.
• The U.S. naval blockade has trapped 69 million barrels of Iranian oil worth over $6 billion.
• Brent crude surged above $126 before settling over $111; WTI exceeded $105.
• California gas prices exceeded $6 per gallon, the highest in the nation.
• President Trump rejected a preliminary deal with Iran, insisting on preventing a nuclear weapon.
• Public opinion polls show Trump's approval rating at record lows amid the conflict.