Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) took aim at President Donald Trump on Monday, using the ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions and stubbornly high gas prices as ammunition. In a post on X, Schumer didn't hold back, calling the earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two nations a disaster.

Greatest Foreign Policy Fiasco

Schumer shared a New York Times article noting that both sides had blown past the 60-day window to reach a broader deal. His verdict? "Trump's memorandum of misunderstanding with Iran has been an utter failure and complete flop."

He argued that the administration had achieved none of Trump's stated goals, including easing fuel costs. Instead, Schumer said, Trump has "hammered Americans with gas skyrocketing above $4 per gallon."

The Senate Minority Leader went further, labeling the MoU "one of the greatest foreign policy fiascos in American history," and questioning Trump's competence as President.

"Donald Trump has failed our troops and has failed our nation. We must end this war immediately with serious diplomacy so we can begin to rebuild from the damage he has wrought," Schumer said.

Meanwhile, the national average gas price dipped slightly on Monday, according to AAA data. It stood at $4.0636 per gallon, down from Sunday's $4.0656. But don't celebrate just yet—California drivers are feeling the pinch even more, with prices averaging $5.5768 per gallon.

GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan had earlier raised red flags about the trend, noting that the national average had never been above $4 per gallon this late in the year (after August 12) in U.S. history.

U.S.-Iran War Updates

The political firestorm comes as Trump rejected a ceasefire extension with Iran, stating that Washington would not extend the interim agreement after the 60-day period expired on Monday. Iranian officials have reportedly warned that Tehran could adopt a more aggressive stance if talks collapse.

Earlier, Trump claimed the U.S. had control of the Strait of Hormuz—a claim quickly disputed by the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), the Iranian agency overseeing the waterway. The strait is critical for global oil shipments, having transported 20 million barrels per day in 2025.

Iranian leaders have reiterated their demands for compensation, release of frozen assets, and sanctions relief as conditions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.