Vice President JD Vance said September 21 that Iranian attacks on international shipping are keeping energy prices elevated. Speaking before traveling to North Carolina, Vance said the administration was trying to push prices down and provide Americans relief while the United States protects commercial shipping.
A White House pool report records Vance saying the administration was encouraging states to consider temporary gas-tax relief. His remarks described possible relief and the administration’s response; they did not announce a new federal gas-price program or establish Iran as the sole cause of higher fuel costs.
ABC News reported that U.S. diesel prices had risen nearly 60% since the Iran war began almost seven months earlier, with GasBuddy’s national average near a record $6.49. Trucking companies operating under long-term contracts told ABC that they were absorbing much of the increase rather than immediately passing every added fuel cost to customers.
Reuters reported the same day that global diesel prices had reached records amid overlapping disruptions. Middle East product exports were roughly halved from March through August, Russian exports were also constrained, and attacks on Russian refineries added pressure. U.S. distillate stocks were about 15% below their five-year average, according to the report.
The new remarks add the administration’s explanation to warnings from Chevron chief executive Mike Wirth and other oil executives that a severe fuel shortage has arrived. Vance’s statement is an attributed policy claim, while independent reporting points to several supply shocks. More exports, refinery output or reduced conflict could ease the pressure; further shipping, pipeline or refinery disruptions could worsen it.
