GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan has a blunt message for President Donald Trump: your tough talk on Iran is going to cost Americans even more at the pump.
In a post on X, De Haan called out Trump's negotiation style during talks with the Iranian government. "The 'I don't care' attitude will increase the odds of new all-time gas price records, not reduce them," he said.
It's not just a prediction—De Haan has been keeping a running tab on what the Iran conflict has already cost drivers. "$40 BILLION- the cumulative increased cost to American consumers filling with gasoline since the U.S. attack Iran on March 1," he posted. The single most expensive day so far? May 20, when Americans paid an extra $608 million. "Today added another $488 million to the tally," he added.
For context, the national average gas price on Tuesday was $4.29 per gallon, according to AAA. Diesel is even higher at $5.43 per gallon, just a hair below Monday's $5.45. Crude oil prices have eased a bit—West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell 1.43% to $90.84 a barrel, and Brent crude dropped 1.37% to $93.68. But the United States Oil Fund (USO), an ETF that tracks WTI, actually rose 4.97% to $135.50 at Monday's close, suggesting traders aren't convinced the relief will last.
Trump's approach has drawn sharp criticism from political opponents. California Governor Gavin Newsom accused the president of causing a global energy crunch, saying his decisions in the Iran war have sent U.S. gas prices soaring. Senator Elizabeth Warren piled on, arguing that Trump has helped oil executives amass wealth from the conflict while Americans pay $800 million in excess costs at the pump.
Trump, for his part, seems unfazed. He said he "couldn't care less" if negotiations with Iran fall apart. He also mentioned speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to urge a troop pullback and holding conversations with Hezbollah members to deter attacks on Israeli forces.
So what does this mean for your wallet? If De Haan is right, the current dip in gas prices might be temporary. A breakdown in Iran talks—or even a prolonged standoff—could send prices soaring again. For now, drivers are left watching the pump and wondering how much higher it can go.
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