JD Vance has shared a bold statement to Americans amid the growing gas prices as a result of the ongoing Iran conflict.
Drivers across the US could soon feel more pressure at the pump as fuel costs rise in connection with the escalating conflict involving the US and Israel and Iran.
Earlier this month, oil markets reacted sharply. US West Texas Intermediate Crude climbed more than six percent to $71.19 a barrel, while Brent crude jumped almost nine percent to $79.31. With those increases, analysts warned that prices at some gas stations could rise by as much as 30 percent.
USA Today reported that by March 4, average gas prices in the US had already increased by roughly 20 to 30 cents per gallon—an uptick that has left many motorists frustrated.
Compounding the concern, Trump also suggested the fighting could last substantially longer than first anticipated. While early expectations pointed to four or five weeks, the president has since said it might ‘go far longer than that’, emphasizing that the US military has the ‘capability’ to continue operations.
On Thursday (March 19), prices moved higher again following an Iranian strike targeting the Ras Laffan energy complex in Qatar. That came after a separate Israeli attack on Iran’s South Pars Gas Field.
In remarks delivered this week, JD Vance argued Americans should keep perspective, saying US partners abroad are bearing even steeper costs from the surge in oil and gas.
Addressing supporters on Wednesday, the vice president said US allies are ‘suffering from this, frankly, more than we are’.
He said this was because they had, ‘focused on a lot of green energy scams and they’re hurting a lot more than we are’.
Vance added: “As much as we’ve got to focus n getting these gas prices down, the reality is overseas they’re feeling it far worse than we did because we’ve taken the steps to protect our economy.”
The comments came as Trump continued to pressure NATO partners, warning that a lack of support in securing the Strait of Hormuz could have worldwide pricing consequences. The channel is a key route for exports such as crude oil, and Iran has effectively blocked it during the ongoing regional conflict.
In footage recorded at the White House, President Trump described a private phone conversation with UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, calling him ‘terrible’ and criticizing him for not immediately committing mine-sweeping vessels or ships—saying Starmer needed to consult ‘his team’ first.
“You’re our oldest ally, and we spend a lot of money on, you know, NATO and all of these things to protect you. I mean, we’re protecting them…
“I think it’s terrible… I was not happy with the UK. I think they’ll be involved, maybe, but they should be involved enthusiastically.”