President Donald Trump Bombs Iran, Driving Up Gas Prices and Threatening Republican Midterms

A US-led military campaign against Iran has coincided with a sharp reaction in global energy markets.

“Buy CryptoMarketsSpotFuturesOIL(WTI)EarnEvent Centre More Gold vs Crypto Rising energy prices tied to President Donald Trump’s war in Iran are threatening to derail Republicans’ strategy for the upcoming midterm elections, raising fearsRising energy prices tied to President Donald Trump’s war in Iran are threatening to derail Republicans’ strategy for the upcoming midterm elections, raising fears Republicans 'express real alarm' as Trump's Iran fallout poised to backfire on them Author: Rawstory 2026/03/10 05:59 2 min read Share For feedback or concerns regarding this content, please contact us at Rising energy prices tied to President Donald Trump’s war in Iran are threatening to derail Republicans’ strategy for the upcoming midterm elections, raising fears inside the GOP that the economic fallout could overshadow their campaign message on affordability”

MEXC

The Independent reports that "the war with Iran ... has caused gas prices to shoot up by an average of nearly 50 cents per gallon nationwide in the week and a half since the U.S. and Israel began a campaign of targeted strikes aimed at destroying Iran’s military and forcing regime change upon its government."

The Independent

MEXC framed the situation as "Rising energy prices tied to President Donald Trump’s war in Iran are threatening to derail Republicans’ strategy for the upcoming midterm elections,"

The Mary Sue said "U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran are really rattling global oil markets, and investors are already bracing for tighter supplies, which naturally drives up costs."

Retail fuel prices climbed markedly in response: national averages and oil benchmarks jumped in a matter of days.

The Mary Sue reported the "national average for gasoline shot up to $3.53 per gallon, marking a hefty 59-cent jump in just seven days" and that "Oil prices have now topped $100 a barrel for the first time since 2022."

The Mary Sue

The Independent similarly noted prices "are now far north of $3 per gallon in most states, and in some are much higher,"

MEXC recorded that "crude oil prices surged to nearly $120 a barrel overnight before settling later in the day below $90 — still about 30 percent above recent lows."

Republicans fear the economic fallout could cost them in the midterms, with party figures and strategists alarmed by the timing.

“Americans are hit with a harsh new reality at the pump as the war on Iran triggers a devastating fuel crunch for travelers Americans are facing a fresh hit to their wallets as gas prices surge, thanks to the escalating conflict with Iran, creating a major headache for President Donald Trump and Republicans heading into the midterm elections”

The Mary Sue

The Independent warned Trump is "barreling his Republican Party towards a midterm election that could once again mark defeat for a president at war with Americans’ perceptions of the economy under his watch."

MEXC relayed blunt comments from lawmakers — "If you are a Republican and not concerned right now, you are stupid," — and quoted Senate Majority Leader John Thune: "The price of gas is always kind of a benchmark."

The Mary Sue added that "Rising fuel costs nationwide are definitely undermining his message and putting fresh pressure on Republicans."

The White House has insisted prices will fall once its security objectives are met even as critics say political strategy is suffering.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt promised: “Once the national security objectives of Operation Epic Fury are fully achieved, Americans will see oil and gas prices drop rapidly, potentially even lower than they were prior to the start of the operation, and we will live in a world where Iran can no longer threaten the United States or our allies with a nuclear bomb.”

The Independent

Trump also told Reuters: "They'll drop very rapidly when this is over, and if they rise, they rise, but this is far more important than having gasoline prices go up a little bit.”

MEXC reported that "Trump, meanwhile, has shown little interest in shifting focus toward affordability concerns... Instead, Trump is pressing Senate Republicans to pass a sweeping GOP elections overhaul bill — adding on demands for a near-complete ban on mail voting and unrelated policy provisions like banning transgender surgeries for minors,"

The Mary Sue observed Trump is "confronting this Iran-driven volatility head-on."

Analysts and outlets warn the price surge could have wider economic consequences, hitting households and supply chains and erasing recent policy gains.

“Buy CryptoMarketsSpotFuturesOIL(WTI)EarnEvent Centre More Gold vs Crypto Rising energy prices tied to President Donald Trump’s war in Iran are threatening to derail Republicans’ strategy for the upcoming midterm elections, raising fearsRising energy prices tied to President Donald Trump’s war in Iran are threatening to derail Republicans’ strategy for the upcoming midterm elections, raising fears Republicans 'express real alarm' as Trump's Iran fallout poised to backfire on them Author: Rawstory 2026/03/10 05:59 2 min read Share For feedback or concerns regarding this content, please contact us at Rising energy prices tied to President Donald Trump’s war in Iran are threatening to derail Republicans’ strategy for the upcoming midterm elections, raising fears inside the GOP that the economic fallout could overshadow their campaign message on affordability”

MEXC

The Mary Sue cautioned diesel costs rose sharply — "Diesel prices have also climbed significantly, with the national average now sitting at $4.72 per gallon, up a whopping 97 cents" —

The Mary Sue

The Independent noted the general elevation of retail fuel levels: "Prices are now far north of $3 per gallon in most states, and in some are much higher."

MEXC added that advisers warned the shock could overturn GOP talking points by noting "analysts at the advisory firm Evercore ISI warned the crisis could erase the tax benefits of Trump's so-called 'big, beautiful bill' for many Americans.'"