U.S. Gasoline prices have risen by 17% since disruptions began in Middle East oil supplies, according to data released Monday.
The surge in prices is directly linked to ongoing instability in the region, a major source of global energy, impacting American drivers at the pump. The price increase was reported by multiple outlets, including the New York Times and Wutshot.com.
The disruptions are stemming from escalating tensions, including recent attacks on tankers in Gulf waters, as reported on March 5th. These attacks, coupled with Iranian drone activity targeting Azerbaijan, are raising concerns about a wider regional conflict and its potential to further constrict oil flows.
The U.S. Government is considering providing military support to safeguard vulnerable oil supplies in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy shipments. This was announced earlier this month, marking the first indication the administration is addressing the impact of rising fuel costs.
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has called for Congress to pass legislation allowing the year-round, nationwide sale of E15, a gasoline blend containing 15% ethanol. RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper stated that the situation “demonstrates this country’s overreliance on foreign sources for our energy,” and that increasing domestic ethanol use is “an easy solution to insulate our nation from these geopolitically induced price spikes at the pump.” According to the RFA, recent polling indicates 78% of Americans are concerned about gas price fluctuations, and 78% believe renewable fuels are important to energy independence.
In 2025, the U.S. Imported 314 million barrels of oil from OPEC countries. The RFA estimates that nationwide adoption of E15 could displace half of that volume. A 2019 study by economist Philip K. Verleger, Jr. Found that the availability of ethanol can mitigate the impact of oil market disruptions on U.S. Gasoline prices.
The Biden administration has not yet responded to the RFA’s call for legislative action. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing monitoring of tanker traffic and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.
