The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, sent a direct message on Monday to American truck drivers facing the highest diesel prices in years.
“We are fully tracking this short-term fluctuation in oil and diesel prices,” he said, in response to a question about the current average cost of fuel.
“We understand them, we listen to them, we see them”, he stated, acknowledging the impact that the rise in fuel prices is having on the sector.
Leavitt insisted that the administration is closely monitoring the situation and described it as temporary.
The average price of diesel reached $5.38 nationwide, according to data from the Energy Information Administration, which represents an increase of over 40% since late February, when the fuel was priced at $3.72 per gallon.
The rise is directly linked to the military conflict with Iran, which has partially blocked the Strait of Hormuz since March 19—through which nearly 20% of the world's oil passes—using mines, drones, and attacks on more than twenty commercial vessels.
In this context, Leavitt defended the measures taken by the Trump administration to contain the energy crisis.
“The president and the administration have continuously announced robust actions to provide stability in the global energy market,” he noted.
Among those actions, it was emphasized that some countries have been temporarily allowed to purchase sanctioned oil "only to increase supply in the meantime."
Additionally, he emphasized that the government has released large volumes of crude oil: "We have worked to release 400 million barrels of oil and refined products."
It also mentioned the temporary exemption from the Jones Act for 60 days, a measure aimed at facilitating the transportation of fuel within the country.
"All of this aims to increase the supply to create stabilization in the market," he explained.
The spokesperson reiterated that the current price increase is part of a larger strategy with geopolitical implications.
"These are short-term actions and short-term price fluctuations for the long-term benefit of ending the threat that Iran poses to the United States, our troops, and our allies in the region," he asserted
In that regard, he emphasized that one of the central objectives is to prevent Tehran from controlling a key route of global energy trade
"To ensure that this regime can no longer control the free flow of energy in the world through the Strait of Hormuz."
The impact of the rise in diesel prices extends beyond gas stations.
The increase drives up freight costs, puts pressure on supply chains, and threatens to raise prices for food and consumer goods across the country.
The U.S. Postal Service has already requested a temporary surcharge of 8% on some of its most used services, and a survey by AP-NORC reveals that 45% of American adults are "extremely" or "very" concerned about affording gasoline in the coming months.
The regular gasoline also surpassed four dollars per gallon nationally, a level not seen since 2022.
The Brent barrel surpassed 126 dollars during the conflict, compared to 66-67 dollars prior to the start of military operations.
Trump has issued ultimatums to Iran threatening to destroy oil wells and key facilities if the strait is not reopened by April 6, 2026.
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