Gas Prices Soar as Iran Conflict Drags On

Drivers across the U.S. feel the pinch at the pump as national average hits $4.02 per gallon

Mar. 31, 2026 at 9:03am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

As the conflict with Iran enters its fifth week, gas prices across the United States have increased by about 35% since February 28, with the national average hitting $4.02 per gallon on Tuesday. Motorists in every corner of the country are feeling the impact, with some drivers like Uber driver Mohammed Razzak in Brooklyn, New York paying nearly $1 more per gallon compared to earlier this year.

Why it matters

The Iran conflict has threatened oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, which previously carried a quarter of the world's seaborne oil. This supply disruption has led to a sharp rise in gas prices nationwide, putting a strain on American consumers and businesses that rely on transportation.

The details

At a Mobil station in Brooklyn, New York, Uber driver Mohammed Razzak paid $70 on Monday to top up his Chevrolet Suburban, a purchase that would have cost about $53 earlier this year. Razzak said gas prices have gone up almost $1 per gallon in his area, from $2.79 to $3.69, since the beginning of the Iran conflict.

  • The Iran conflict began on February 28, 2026.
  • Gas prices have increased by about 35% since February 28, 2026.
  • The national average gas price hit $4.02 per gallon on March 31, 2026.

The players

Mohammed Razzak

A 48-year-old Uber driver in Brooklyn, New York who has been driving for 14 years.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is too much. Since the beginning of the war, it's gone up almost $1 a gallon”

— Mohammed Razzak, Uber driver

The takeaway

The sharp rise in gas prices due to the ongoing Iran conflict is putting a significant financial strain on American consumers and businesses that rely heavily on transportation. This highlights the vulnerability of the U.S. energy supply to global geopolitical tensions and the need for greater energy independence and diversification.