A 28-year-old driver, Ryder Thomas, was filling his pickup truck at a petrol station in Los Angeles when he expressed frustration over rising fuel costs. He said it cost him 130 US dollars to fill his tank, which he stated was around 30 dollars more than before the Iran–United States conflict.
Thomas told reporters that his anger was not only directed at the price increase but also at the circumstances behind it. He said: “I am as angry about the price of oil as I am about why it is increasing. Trump is an idiot, that is all there is to it.”
According to the reported sequence of events, on 28 February, the United States and Israel jointly launched attacks on Iran. Iran responded immediately with counter-attacks. In turn, Iranian forces reportedly targeted Israeli territory and US military bases and installations located in various parts of the Middle East, escalating tensions across the region. During this period, the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes—was closed, contributing to global energy market disruption.
After 39 days of sustained conflict, the United States and Iran agreed to a temporary ceasefire lasting two weeks, which came into effect on 8 April. On 11 April, representatives from Iran and the United States held peace talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, but those discussions did not produce an agreement.
Following the expiry of the temporary ceasefire, US President Donald Trump unilaterally announced an extension of the ceasefire for an indefinite period. The United States has since continued attempts, through Pakistan as an intermediary, to resume negotiations. However, as of the time of reporting, Iran has not agreed to return to the talks.
The breakdown in negotiations has coincided with a sharp rise in crude oil prices. The disruption in supply routes, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, has been cited as a contributing factor to volatility in global energy markets. Public opinion in the United States, according to surveys referenced in the report, indicates that most Americans do not support the war.
Thomas compared the situation to the Iraq war, stating: “There was no need for this war at all. It is just like the invasion of Iraq, where ultimately no weapons of mass destruction were found.”
President Trump has maintained that the strikes were necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and has argued that the conflict would not be prolonged. Despite this, the disruption to energy routes has continued to affect fuel supply and pricing.
In California, petrol prices have risen significantly. The closure of key supply routes has contributed to an increase in fuel costs at the pump, with wider economic implications including potential rises in the prices of food and clothing due to higher transport costs.
The following table summarises key reported changes:
| Item | Before Conflict | After Conflict |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol price in California (per gallon) | 4.5 USD | Over 6 USD |
| Petrol cost per litre (approx.) | 1.19 USD | 1.59 USD |
| Additional cost per full tank (Ryder Thomas) | — | +30 USD |
| Duration of initial conflict | — | 39 days |
Long queues at petrol stations have also been reported. David Chavez, a cameraman waiting at a fuel pump, said he was reluctant to assign blame solely to any one party. A former Democratic supporter, he said he voted for Trump in the previous election due to dissatisfaction with immigration and economic policies under President Joe Biden. However, he also expressed disappointment with the current situation, suggesting that oil companies may be artificially inflating prices.
The rising cost of fuel has had a broader impact on households, particularly among lower and middle-income groups. Seventy-three-year-old retiree Flo said she has reduced her driving due to increased costs and is finding it difficult to manage living expenses on a limited pension after paying rent.
She said: “Life was already difficult, and now it has become even more unbearable.”