Here's a political and economic puzzle for you: when gas prices go up, who gets the blame? If you're California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, the answer is President Donald Trump.

Over the weekend, Newsom's official press office took to social media with a sarcastic post. "THANKS TO PRESIDENT TRUMP, PRICES ARE COMING DOWN!" it declared, alongside a note that the average price for a gallon of gas in the U.S. had hit $3.70. The jab came as tensions with Iran continue to roil global oil markets.

In another post on Saturday, Newsom doubled down, linking the price surge to what he called a "disastrous" war. He argued that "no amount of spin from Trump and his lackeys" could hide the fact that "Americans shelled out an extra $1.5 BILLION for gas this past week." The data backing him up comes from the American Automobile Association (AAA), which reported the national average price at $3.699 per gallon on Sunday. For drivers in Newsom's home state, the pain was far worse, with California prices averaging a staggering $5.509 per gallon.

While the political finger-pointing continues, there might be a light at the end of the tunnel—and it's not from a refinery flare. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has struck an optimistic tone, suggesting the conflict with Iran could be nearing a conclusion in the coming weeks. That's significant because Iran has laid a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that handles about a fifth of the world's seaborne oil trade. Wright also mentioned that naval escorts for commercial ships passing through the strait are a possibility, which could help secure the flow of crude.

So, who wins when oil markets get chaotic? For one, U.S. oil companies. Reports suggest they could see benefits totaling up to $60 billion as the Iran conflict escalates, with some already recording a $5 billion increase in cash flow. Higher oil prices mean higher profits for producers, at least in the short term.

And it's not just traditional energy companies that might benefit. Investor Gary Black of The Future Fund LLC has pointed out a potential silver lining for the electric vehicle sector. He suggests that sales for Tesla Inc. (TSLA), led by Elon Musk, could theoretically get a boost if oil prices push past $100 per barrel. The logic is simple: when filling up a gas tank gets painfully expensive, the math for switching to an electric car starts to look a lot better.

So, to recap: a political blame game over pump prices, a looming geopolitical resolution, and a set of potential winners emerging from the turmoil. It's a classic case of market forces and politics colliding at the gas station.