The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge is seen behind the gas price board at a gas station in San Francisco, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)US President Donald Trump said he is not concerned about rising oil prices in the United States during the ongoing conflict involving Iran, and said the military campaign remains his main objective, according to Reuters.
In an interview with Reuters, Trump said rising fuel prices linked to tensions in the Middle East were not his immediate concern and he expected prices to fall once the conflict ends.
“I don’t have any concerns about it,” Trump said when asked about higher prices at the pump.
“They will fall very quickly when this is over, and if they go up, they will go up, but this is much more important than gasoline prices going up a little bit,” he told Reuters.
Why are gas prices rising?
Global oil prices have risen since the conflict began, raising concerns about supply disruptions in the Middle East. The region is a major source of oil exports and tensions may affect shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil transportation.
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According to the American Automobile Association, the average price of gasoline in the United States has increased 27 cents in the past week to about $3.25 per gallon. This is about 15 cents more than a year ago.
Trump said the increase was limited.
“They haven’t increased much,” he said in the interview with Reuters.
Trump said he did not plan to release oil from the country’s emergency reserve, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which is the world’s largest crude oil reserve held for emergencies.
He also said he expected oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz to continue.
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What does the White House say?
White House officials are discussing possible ways to reduce fuel prices if they continue to rise.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Energy Secretary Chris Wright have spoken with oil company leaders to discuss possible responses.
A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that government teams were studying measures that could help lower prices if necessary.
Officials believe the price increase could be temporary while the conflict continues.
