US fuel prices have risen sharply amid disruptions across global oil and refined-product markets, with the average petrol price reaching $4.36 per gallon, according to the supplied report. President Donald Trump attributed the increase to refinery disruptions in Democratic-led states and Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, while oil-market analysts point to broader supply pressures. Reduced flows through the Strait of Hormuz, disruption to Russian refining capacity, and uncertainty over potential sanctions are adding volatility to international energy markets.
US Fuel Prices Rise as Trump Blames Democrats and Ukraine Ahead of Midterms
US fuel prices have surged in recent months, with Donald Trump blaming the surge on refinery disruptions in Democratic-led states and Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.
Fuel prices in the United States continued to rise as the country approached its midterm elections, with President Donald Trump trying to deflect blame away from the conflict with Iran and onto domestic refinery shutdowns and Ukraine.
Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday that it was now refinery disruptions, not the Strait of Hormuz, that were driving up gas costs for American consumers.
Trump wrote in the post that attacks by Ukraine were hurting Russian refineries, while home facilities were being shut down in Democratic-led states, including California.
US fuel prices remain under pressure despite increased oil flows
Trump’s comments run counter to data showing oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have fallen dramatically since the conflict began, limiting global supplies.
Since the war began, daily flows through the key waterway have fallen 97 per cent, it said, adding to ongoing disruption across global oil and refined-product markets.
The American Automobile Association said the average price for petrol in the United States hit $4.36 per gallon, up from $4.14 a month earlier and $2.98 on February 28.
The February figure was recorded during the first strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran and represents a substantial jump in petrol costs since the conflict escalated.
Conflicts involving Iran and Russia were reinforcing pressures across oil-product markets, said Rachel Ziemba, a senior adjunct fellow at the Center for a New American Security.
Oil flows from the Middle East remained “far from normal,” she said, and Russia’s problems refining oil and lower global buffers were adding pressure to already volatile energy markets.
Ukraine refinery strikes add pressure to diesel supplies
Ukraine has also targeted Russian energy infrastructure during the war that began in 2022, with the strikes increasingly affecting the country’s refining capacity and fuel production.
More than half of Russia’s oil refining capacity was taken out by Ukrainian strikes, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence said on Sunday.
The International Energy Agency said Russian refinery throughput fell to its lowest in two decades in June, highlighting the scale of disruption.
The agency also said Russian diesel output had dropped 30 per cent in the past 18 months, adding to pressure on regional diesel supplies.
“Middle Eastern supply disruptions are still the main issue, but damage to Russian refineries and possible new US sanctions on Russian oil processors are making the market more difficult,” Ziemba stated.
The G7 has responded to the wider energy crisis by agreeing to release 100 million barrels of oil and diesel from emergency reserves.
Also Read: ED Raids Eight Locations in Fake CSR Scam Probe, Seizes ₹21 Lakh
California refinery closures become part of political debate
Under Democratic leadership, California refineries have also been shut down, with two plants closing in the last year, Trump has said.
Those closures reduced California’s refining capacity by 17 per cent, S&P Global said in an analysis, potentially creating regional supply gaps and more volatile prices.
European countries feeling pressure to release strategic reserves have also helped push down oil prices and bring down futures for gasoline and diesel, said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.
At the same time, the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve has dropped to its lowest level since 1982, limiting the government’s emergency oil cushion during the current period of market instability.
Midterm elections sharpen focus on rising petrol costs
Trump’s focus on Democrats, Ukraine and refinery disruptions comes as the US heads toward consequential midterm elections that could shape the balance of power in Washington.
But public opinion suggests many Americans continue to link higher prices to Trump’s economic policies and the administration’s management of the economy.
A poll by AP-NORC found that 65 per cent of Americans blamed Trump’s policies for higher prices and 61 per cent said the U.S. economy was worse than when he left office.
The competing explanations are indicative of the complicated nature of the current fuel crisis, with geopolitical disruptions, refinery capacity, and domestic politics all factors in the debate, Sprouts News said.
With petrol prices still high, policymakers are under pressure to stabilize supplies while consumers are faced with higher transport and household costs ahead of November elections.
