US Diesel Prices Surge to Historic $5.85 Per Gallon Amid Ongoing Conflict with Iran

The price of diesel in the United States has surged to an all-time high of $5.85 per gallon amid the ongoing war with Iran, surpassing previous records set during the June 2022 invasion of Ukraine. This milestone comes despite President Donald Trump's repeated assertions that the US military has secured control of the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average hit this record on Friday. Because diesel is heavily utilized to fuel heavy machinery, buses, trains, and large trucks, the price hike threatens to drive up production and transportation costs across numerous goods, including groceries.

Coming just weeks before the November congressional midterm elections, the soaring cost of living has become a central issue for voters. Public opinion polls continue to show widespread voter dissatisfaction regarding the conflict with Iran as Republicans push to maintain control of the US House of Representatives and the US Senate.

Meanwhile, gasoline prices have also climbed, reaching $4.14 on Friday ahead of the Labor Day holiday weekend—marking the highest national average ever recorded for this time of year. AAA noted that volatility in the Strait of Hormuz has kept crude oil prices hovering near $90 per barrel.

Global energy markets were severely disrupted after Tehran closed the vital shipping lane in response to initial US and Israeli strikes in February. While President Donald Trump and US Vice President JD Vance claim that millions of barrels are once again moving safely through the waterway—with Trump suggesting the area be renamed the Trump Strait—verification remains difficult as passing tankers frequently disable their transponders.

Iran maintains that the strait remains under its control and continues to launch suspected strikes on vessels in the region, including a recent attack on a Saudi tanker that resulted in the deaths of two sailors.