Administration officials examine policy responses after Middle East tensions push oil and gasoline prices higher.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Senior advisers to President Donald Trump are exploring potential policy measures to lower gasoline prices after military operations involving Iran triggered volatility across global energy markets.
According to a report from Politico, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has directed administration officials to develop proposals aimed at easing fuel costs for American consumers and present them for consideration by the president.
Energy industry executives familiar with the discussions told the outlet that officials are evaluating a wide range of possible actions as the administration attempts to stabilize energy prices.
“The White House is looking under every rock for ideas on improving energy prices, especially gasoline prices,” one executive said.
The effort comes as military exchanges involving Iran and the United States have pushed global oil markets higher. Crude prices increased by more than $10 per barrel in the days following U.S. strikes on Iranian targets and retaliatory actions affecting energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf.
The price increases have translated into higher costs for American motorists, with gasoline reaching its highest levels since Trump returned to office last year.
Officials responsible for energy policy, including Energy Secretary Chris Wright, are working to identify options that could help stabilize markets while easing consumer concerns about rising fuel prices.
The administration has already taken several steps designed to protect global energy transportation routes.
President Trump recently announced that the U.S. military would assist in safeguarding commercial ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran issued threats against tanker traffic traveling through the critical waterway.
The White House has also instructed the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to provide insurance coverage for vessels whose policies were canceled as the regional conflict intensified.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration believes the president’s actions in response to Iran will ultimately strengthen energy market stability.
“I think it speaks to why this action was so necessary,” Leavitt said during a White House briefing, according to C-SPAN coverage. “Ultimately, the energy industry is going to benefit from the president’s actions with respect to Iran.”
Among the proposals being discussed inside the administration is a temporary suspension of the federal gasoline tax. Such a measure would require congressional approval and would depend on whether fuel retailers pass the savings through to consumers.
President Trump has downplayed concerns about the recent rise in fuel prices, suggesting the increase could be temporary.
“If we have a little high oil prices for a little while, but as soon as this ends, those prices are going to drop, lower than even before,” the president said earlier this week.
Energy price data indicates gasoline costs have risen quickly since the conflict escalated. The national average price for regular gasoline exceeded $3.25 per gallon this week, climbing more than 28 cents over several days, according to AAA and industry analysts.
Market observers say the increases are tied in part to concerns surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping corridor through which more than 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes.
Tensions in the region have already slowed some tanker traffic and temporarily interrupted oil production in several Gulf states.
Energy analysts say prices could continue fluctuating if tensions intensify, although current gasoline costs remain significantly below the nationwide peak reached in 2022 when prices briefly exceeded $5 per gallon.
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