Experts Warn of Rising Gas Prices in Iowa Amid Iran Conflict

Potential supply chain disruptions and seasonal shifts could drive up costs at the pump.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Experts say the ongoing military action in Iran will likely lead to higher gas prices for Iowans, with the national average already up six cents per gallon in the past week. U.S. crude oil prices rose about $8 per barrel as futures trading opened on Sunday, and analysts predict gas prices could rise more than 25 cents per gallon depending on how the situation in Iran unfolds.

Why it matters

Iowa residents could face significant increases in their fuel costs due to the potential impact of the Iran conflict on global oil supply and shipping routes. This comes at a time when gas prices already tend to rise seasonally as refineries switch to summer-blend gasoline and demand increases ahead of the spring and summer travel season.

The details

According to AAA, the national average price for a gallon of gas on Monday morning was $2.99, up six cents from a week earlier. In Iowa, the average price was $2.63, up nine cents from the prior Monday. AAA's public affairs representative Brian Ortner noted that while the U.S. does not import oil directly from Iran, Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route, means disruptions there could still affect global supply chains and impact prices.

  • U.S. crude oil prices rose about $8 per barrel as futures trading opened on Sunday evening.
  • The national average gas price was $2.99 per gallon on Monday morning, up six cents from a week earlier.
  • The average gas price in Iowa was $2.63 per gallon on Monday, up nine cents from the prior Monday.

The players

Brian Ortner

A public affairs representative for AAA in Iowa.

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What they’re saying

“Without speculating on exactly what could happen, there are pieces together that could create impacts. So we definitely want to watch over the coming days to see what updates there are in the region.”

— Brian Ortner, Public Affairs Representative, AAA Iowa (KCCI)

What’s next

AAA Iowa says it will continue to monitor gas prices across the state in the coming days as the situation in Iran develops.

The takeaway

The ongoing conflict in Iran could lead to significant increases in gas prices for Iowans, exacerbating the typical seasonal rise in fuel costs. Residents may need to adjust their budgets and driving habits to account for potentially higher prices at the pump in the weeks and months ahead.