Oil Prices Surge as Democrats Criticize Trump's Iran War

Republicans seek to downplay the economic impact as gas prices rise ahead of midterm elections

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The global oil benchmark topped $100 a barrel late Sunday, putting Republicans on the defensive as Democrats seized on the surge in prices, arguing it was an immediate consequence of the war in Iran that would inflame an affordability crisis. President Trump sought to minimize the jump, but Democrats saw it differently, with the Democratic National Committee chair saying "As Trump refuses to acknowledge Americans' concerns with the war, prices at the pump are soaring and working families are being crushed by high prices at the grocery store."

Why it matters

The surge in oil prices could pose political challenges for the party in power, with gas prices becoming a bigger focal point in the upcoming midterm elections. Democrats see the rising costs as a vulnerability for Republicans, while the GOP is trying to downplay the economic impact of the war in Iran.

The details

The global oil benchmark hit over $100 a barrel for the first time in four years, a threshold that could pose political challenges. Democrats argued the price surge was a direct consequence of the war in Iran, with Representative Tom Suozzi saying the administration had not fully planned for the economic costs. Trump sought to minimize the jump, saying prices would "drop rapidly" once the "destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over." However, Democrats saw it differently, with the DNC chair saying Trump is refusing to acknowledge Americans' concerns about the war as prices soar.

  • The global oil benchmark topped $100 a barrel late Sunday (March 8, 2026).
  • The current national average gas price is $3.45, according to AAA.

The players

Tom Suozzi

A Democratic Representative from New York who was among a few Democrats from swing districts who expressed cautious approval for the initial strikes in Iran last weekend, but now says the administration had not fully planned for the economic costs.

Donald Trump

The former President who is often quick to react to market swings, immediately sought to minimize the jump in oil prices, saying they would "drop rapidly" once the "destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over."

Ken Martin

The chair of the Democratic National Committee, who said "As Trump refuses to acknowledge Americans' concerns with the war, prices at the pump are soaring and working families are being crushed by high prices at the grocery store."

Kiersten Pels

A spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee, who said Democrats were "fearmongering" about gas prices and that "President Trump is confronting the Iranian regime and protecting American security while Democrats try to rewrite their record of weakness."

Chuck Schumer

The Democratic minority leader in the Senate, who called on the Trump administration to release oil from strategic reserves, saying "Due to Donald Trump's reckless war of choice, gas prices have surged to their highest levels in years."

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What they’re saying

“We've been saying for months that affordability is the No. 1 issue. But this is a very real-life consequence of some of the actions being taken by the administration.”

— Tom Suozzi, Democratic Representative (New York Times)

“While there's a sugar high — you feel good, hey, we'll get the bad guys — it's not really very well thought out.”

— Tom Suozzi, Democratic Representative (New York Times)

“As Trump refuses to acknowledge Americans' concerns with the war, prices at the pump are soaring and working families are being crushed by high prices at the grocery store.”

— Ken Martin, Chair of the Democratic National Committee (New York Times)

“President Trump is confronting the Iranian regime and protecting American security while Democrats try to rewrite their record of weakness.”

— Kiersten Pels, Spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee (New York Times)

“Due to Donald Trump's reckless war of choice, gas prices have surged to their highest levels in years. His response? 'If they rise, they rise.' He couldn't care less.”

— Chuck Schumer, Democratic Minority Leader (Social media)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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