US President Donald Trump said Thursday he is not concerned about rising gasoline prices in the United States as military operations against Iran continue to escalate, emphasizing that the ongoing campaign remains his administration’s top priority.
In an interview with Reuters, Trump downplayed the impact of higher fuel costs on American consumers. When asked about the increase in gasoline prices at fuel stations, he responded that the military operation outweighs concerns over short-term price hikes.
“I’m not worried about that,” Trump said. “Prices will come down very quickly once this is over. And 'If they rise, they rise'. This operation is far more important than gasoline prices going up a little.”
Trump suggested that the military campaign against Tehran could last between four and five weeks, although political and military analysts have expressed skepticism about that timeline. Experts noted that the US government has yet to clearly define its final strategic objectives as the conflict continues to expand across the region and beyond.
During the interview, Trump also indicated that he currently does not intend to release oil from the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve, expressing confidence that the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route near Iran, will remain open.
He claimed that the Iranian navy no longer poses a serious threat, saying it is effectively “at the bottom of the sea.”
Global oil prices have surged since the conflict began last Saturday, climbing about 16% as tensions in the Middle East disrupted supply expectations and rattled energy markets.
In the United States, gasoline prices have also moved higher. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average price of gasoline increased by 27 cents over the past week, reaching $3.25 per gallon, which is 15 cents higher than the same period last year.
Despite the rise, Trump argued that fuel costs have “not gone up very much.”
The president’s comments represent a shift in tone from last month, when he highlighted falling gasoline prices during his State of the Union address and at a campaign rally in Texas focused on energy policy shortly before US airstrikes began.
Republican leaders in Congress, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have also attempted to downplay concerns about fuel prices, even as the party plans to emphasize economic achievements ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
Political analysts warn that higher gasoline prices could become a political risk for Republicans if frustrated voters, already facing rising living costs, decide to express their dissatisfaction at the ballot box in the November elections.
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