US President Donald Trump has urged Americans to accept paying somewhat more for gasoline as oil prices rise following the Iran war. Speaking in Garden City, Trump said the added cost was necessary to ensure that Iran, which he described as “a very evil country,” does not obtain nuclear weapons. The report was published on August 15, 2026.

Trump said the United States was doing a great service not only for itself but for the world, and said he would never apologize for attacks on Iran. The comments underscore a growing political risk for Trump because higher oil prices conflict with his campaign promise to reduce energy costs.

Democrats are seeking to make the economic effects of the Iran war an issue ahead of November’s midterm elections. About 20 percent of global oil and LNG shipments normally pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the report. Shipping through the strait has been disrupted since the Iran war, adding to the conditions behind higher oil prices worldwide.