U.S. Independent Gas Stations Face Financial Squeeze as Iran War Drives Fuel Volatility

3 articles · Updated · NPR · Jun 6

Independent U.S. gas station owners are being squeezed as rapid fuel-price swings tied to the Iran war make it harder to manage cash flow and margins.
California operator Jivtesh Gill, who owns several stations, said the volatility is straining small retailers that lack the financial cushion of larger chains.
The pressure falls on independents caught between wholesale price moves and what they can charge drivers, leaving little room to absorb sudden cost jumps.
The strain shows how the Iran war's oil-market shock is spreading beyond consumers to small fuel retailers across the U.S.

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