Iran War Underscores Risks of Trump's Oil Focus

Rising gas prices and supply disruptions highlight vulnerabilities of Trump's fossil fuel-centric energy policy.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 5:18pm

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As the war in Iran drives up crude oil and gasoline prices, experts say President Trump's relentless push to prioritize fossil fuels over renewable energy has left Americans more vulnerable to supply shocks. Trump's policies of blocking clean energy projects and providing tax breaks for oil and gas drilling have limited alternative energy sources, making the U.S. more dependent on volatile global oil markets.

Why it matters

Trump's energy strategy of doubling down on oil and gas has exposed the risks of over-reliance on fossil fuels, as the conflict in Iran disrupts global oil supplies and sends prices soaring. This could hurt Republicans politically in a midterm election year when affordability is a top concern for voters.

The details

Trump has aggressively promoted fossil fuels, providing tax breaks and fast-tracked permits for oil and gas drilling while blocking dozens of clean energy projects. Experts say this has limited alternative energy sources, making the U.S. more vulnerable to oil supply shocks like the one caused by the Iran war. The conflict has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil chokepoint.

  • Trump returned to office in 2025 and immediately launched a push to prioritize oil and gas over renewable energy.
  • In his State of the Union address last month, Trump boasted that gas prices were below $3 per gallon.
  • As of March 19, 2026, the national average gas price has jumped to about $3.84 per gallon.

The players

President Donald Trump

The Republican president who has made a relentless push to shift the U.S. away from renewable energy and towards fossil fuels like oil and gas.

Peter Gleick

A climate scientist and co-founder of the Pacific Institute, a nonprofit focused on global water sustainability.

Tyson Slocum

The energy director at Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group.

Senator Mike Rounds

A Republican senator from South Dakota who expressed concern about rising gas prices.

Senator Thom Tillis

A Republican senator from North Carolina who said gas prices drive the affordability issue for voters.

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What they’re saying

“The biggest short-term losers of the war will be U.S. consumers of oil and gas, as energy prices rise.”

— Peter Gleick, Climate scientist and co-founder of the Pacific Institute

“It turns out fossil fuels have their own supply risks, and the administration has no answers.”

— Tyson Slocum, Energy director at Public Citizen

“Gas drives the affordability issue.”

— Senator Thom Tillis

What’s next

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The takeaway

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