US gasoline prices hit four-year high as Europe faces jet fuel crisis amid war on Iran

New data has revealed that the United States is currently facing a significant spike in gasoline prices, with the average cost reaching its highest point in nearly four years.

According to data from the American Automobile Association (AAA), as of Tuesday, the price at the pump averaged a staggering $4.18 per gallon, an 11-cent increase just this month and a substantial $1.19 hike since late February, fueled by ongoing tensions in West Asia and domestic refinery issues.

The price surge comes in the wake of a war of aggression waged by the US and Israel against Iran at the end of February. According to the data, prices have increased by more than 40% in this short span.

Brent crude futures saw a steep rise of about 16% last week, while West Texas Intermediate climbed nearly 13%. These increases are linked to stalled efforts toward resolution in the war against Iran, which holds significant influence over global oil trade.

Earlier this month, there were fleeting hopes that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz — the vital waterway for oil transport — might stabilize, but those hopes have dimmed, leading to renewed price pressures.

In addition, scheduled maintenance and operational setbacks at several major refineries in the Great Lakes region are forecasted to keep gasoline prices high, particularly for consumers in West Asia, GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan said.

Over the weekend, BP’s substantial Whiting, Indiana facility, which processes 440,000 barrels of oil per day, experienced an unexpected power outage, causing one unit to shut down temporarily.

Additionally, Phillips 66 has been performing planned maintenance on its Wood River refinery in Illinois, which has a processing capacity of 356,000 barrels per day. This maintenance is expected to last around 45 days, potentially limiting output and impacting supply chains.

Furthermore, Marathon Petroleum’s Robinson refinery in Illinois, which has a capacity of 253,000 barrels per day, is undergoing its own maintenance work. With planned maintenance expected to extend into mid-May, the cumulative effect of these refinery outages is likely to keep the gasoline supply chain tight, further driving up consumer prices at the pump.

Democrats consider legal action against Trump over Iran war powers

Meanwhile, Democrats in Congress are reportedly weighing the possibility of a lawsuit against US President Donald Trump if he opts to continue the aggression against Iran beyond the legally mandated 60-day period without congressional authorization.

Sources familiar with the matter told Time that discussions among Democratic lawmakers are in the preliminary stages but could gain momentum if Trump pursues the war without explicit approval.

Iran parl. speaker warns Americans will be ‘nostalgic’ for cheap gasoline as US threatens naval blockade

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has issued a warning to Americans to “enjoy” today’s gas prices, adding that they will soon be “nostalgic” for $4–$5 per gallon fuel as the United States threatens to impose a naval blockade on Iranian ports.

The War Powers Resolution requires the President to cease military operations after 60 days unless Congress declares war or passes legislation authorizing the use of force.

As May 1 draws near, several Democratic representatives have expressed their conviction that this may present their best opportunity to legally challenge what they deem an unauthorized military engagement.

Senator Richard Blumenthal from Connecticut, who is also a lawyer and serves on the Judiciary and Armed Services committees, has highlighted the necessity of confronting the US president’s actions legally.

“Legal action has to be explored,” he stated, noting that the potential for litigation is a critical component in reinforcing congressional authority when it comes to war powers.

Echoing Blumenthal’s sentiments, Representative Ted Lieu of California, a prominent figure in the House Democratic Caucus, argued that the potential for a lawsuit could enhance Congress’s standing.

“I’m absolutely in favor of a lawsuit,” he said, emphasizing that a strong legal footing would be crucial if the administration disregards the statutory deadline.

Lieu further underscored that failure to establish standing would render the War Powers Resolution ineffective, undermining congressional authority on military matters.

Europe faces jet fuel supply crunch amid West Asia conflicts

Meanwhile, Europe is also grappling with potential jet fuel supply shortages due to disruptions in West Asia imports caused by the US-Israeli aggression.

Recent data reveal that imports of jet fuel from the region, which have historically represented nearly 60% of Europe’s external jet fuel supply, have come to a standstill, raising serious concerns about the adequacy of fuel supplies as demand surges during the busy summer months.

Countries in Europe, particularly those within the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), consume approximately 1.6 million barrels per day (bpd) of jet fuel.

However, domestic production from European refineries only reaches around 1.1 million bpd, creating a shortfall of around 500,000 bpd that must be met through imports.

The halt in West Asia shipments significantly exacerbates the supply-demand imbalance, raising fears of a potential crunch.

Sweden’s energy minister has cautioned that while jet fuel supply remains stable now, future uncertainties loom large.

The International Energy Agency has also sounded alarms, predicting that Europe could begin experiencing physical shortages by June if the region can only replace half of its traditional West Asian jet fuel supplies.

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