It's been over 100 days since the U.S.-Israel and Iran war kicked off, and the economic fallout is getting harder to ignore. On Monday, California Governor Gavin Newsom took a swing at President Donald Trump, arguing that the president's claim of being "in control" of the war doesn't square with reality — especially when you look at gas prices.
Newsom's press office posted on X that Trump "launched a war on Iran with no plan" and that Americans have been stuck with an extra $55.6 billion in fuel costs since the conflict began. "That's over 3 months of pain at the pump, increased grocery prices, and inflation eating into people's wages," the post said. "And yesterday Trump said he was 'in control' of the war. Clearly that's not true."
The numbers back up the frustration. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average price for a gallon of gas on Monday was $4.164. In California, drivers are paying over $5 a gallon. GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan noted on X that price hikes in states like Florida, Ohio, and Utah are part of a "routine price cycle" but to an "elevated amount due to the US/Iran situation." In Columbus, Ohio, prices were reportedly rising to $4.39 per gallon.
But it's not just gas. The war has also disrupted global shipping. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint for oil and cargo — has sent container shipping costs soaring. The spot rate for a 40-foot container from Asia to the U.S. West Coast jumped over 20% in the past week alone. Meanwhile, Iran, Iraq, and Syria have announced airspace closures following missile strikes between Iran and Israel, adding another layer of complexity for airlines and logistics companies.
Trump has reportedly urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against launching another round of strikes, suggesting the countries should resolve differences through diplomatic means. But with the war now past the 100-day mark and economic pain spreading, the question of who's really in control is becoming more than just political rhetoric.
