Gas hits $4.20 in Anchorage as Iran war nears nine months

Gas prices have climbed 40% since the U.S.-led war against Iran began on February 28, 2026. The average gallon of regular gas now costs $4.20, according to AAA. Diesel, used by truckers and farmers, averages more than $6 per gallon. The increases come as fighting between the U.S. and Iran continues into its ninth month, with threats in the Strait of Hormuz keeping fuel costs elevated.

President Donald Trump launched the war with one stated goal: keeping Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. At a campaign rally, Trump said that objective is complete. "We obliterated Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity with Operation Midnight Hammer, Operation Epic Fury," Trump said. "We defeated them militarily, financially and otherwise." He added that the U.S. must ensure Iran never gets a nuclear weapon.

White House correspondent Jon Decker asked Trump on October 10 why he does not simply declare victory. "Because I have to keep it that way," Trump replied. "I don't want to do it in two years. We have to have a guarantee that they won't do it in the future." Trump has repeated similar statements at multiple events.

Pollsters report that likely voters in key Senate races name food and energy costs as their leading concerns. Trump has told reporters and supporters that gas prices will drop once the war ends. No end date has been set for the conflict, which entered its ninth month in late October.

AAA lists the national average for regular unleaded at $4.20 per gallon. Diesel prices sit above $6 per gallon, driven by ongoing threats to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.