Poll Shows Americans Expect Higher Gas Prices After US Strikes on Iran

A new poll conducted by Reuters and Ipsos found that most Americans expect gasoline prices to continue rising in the coming months following military strikes on Iran ordered by US President Donald Trump.

The four-day survey revealed that about 67% of respondents believe gasoline prices in the United States will increase over the next year. 

The expectation was shared across political lines, including 44% of Republicans and 85% of Democrats. 

Additionally, around 60% of Americans said they expect the US military involvement in Iran to last for a long time.

The strikes were launched on February 28 in coordinated attacks by US and Israeli forces targeting Iran, triggering heightened tensions in the region. 

According to the poll, only 29% of Americans approve of the military action, which showed support at 27%. The margin of error in both surveys was about three percentage points.

The findings highlight potential political risks for Trump and the Republican Party ahead of the US midterm elections scheduled for November, when the Democratic Party hopes to regain control of at least one chamber of the United States Congress.

Around 64% of those surveyed, including one in four Republicans and nine out of ten Democrats, said Trump had not clearly explained the goals of the US military intervention.

Gasoline prices have already risen by roughly 50 cents per gallon since the strikes began, while at least seven American soldiers have been killed. 

Fuel prices remain a highly sensitive issue in the United States because they are one of the most visible indicators of the cost of living for consumers.

Energy prices climbed daily across the US and global markets last week, including during the weekend when the Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted. 

Analysts warn that fuel prices could continue rising worldwide for weeks or even months, even if the conflict de-escalates quickly.

Trump said his administration is considering measures to combat rising prices, although US policy options may have limited influence on global oil markets. The poll was conducted online among 1021 adults across the United States.