Trump Says $4.50 Gas Is No Factor in Iran War Talks
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 12
Trump Says $4.50 Gas Is No Factor in Iran War Talks
16 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 12
Asked whether voters’ financial strain was pushing him toward an Iran deal, Trump said “not even a little bit,” insisting the only issue in negotiations is preventing Tehran from getting a nuclear weapon.
Tuesday’s remarks came as the Labor Department reported the fastest U.S. inflation acceleration since May 2023, driven by war-linked energy costs, with gasoline topping $4.50 a gallon since the conflict began in February.
That stance risks deepening political pressure on Trump before midterms in 6 months, as affordability remains a top voter concern and congressional Republicans have grown increasingly impatient with the war.
Trump still argued his economic policies are working and said oil prices will fall sharply once the conflict ends, even as he has spent weeks downplaying the war’s hit to household budgets.
With munitions dwindling and inflation soaring, how long can the current US strategy against Iran be sustained?
At what point does the economic cost at home outweigh the goal of a non-nuclear Iran?
How might the Mideast shipping crisis permanently reshape global trade and energy markets for everyone?
2026 U.S.-Iran War Shuts Down Strait of Hormuz, Fueling Global Energy Crisis and Economic Turmoil
Overview
Diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran have stalled, mainly due to Iran backing out of an agreement on uranium extraction. This breakdown in trust has deepened divisions and blocked progress toward a broader peace deal. As a result, attempts to secure vital trade routes like the Strait of Hormuz have failed, with NATO allies unwilling to intervene without a comprehensive agreement. The insecurity of this key waterway has triggered an immediate global energy crisis, causing oil prices to surge and impacting economies and households worldwide.