Donald Trump says he’ll ‘never apologize’ for ballooning gas prices, vows to claim the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory: ‘I did the right thing’
President Donald Trump said that he will not apologize for rising gasoline prices linked to the ongoing U.S.–Iran war, telling supporters in Garden City, New York, “you’re at $4. It’s OK. I mean — I’m not. I’ll never apologize. I did the right thing.”
Trump also renewed his pledge to declare the Strait of Hormuz U.S. territory after the conflict with Iran ends.
Trump’s Long Island remarks
Speaking at a rally supporting Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s campaign for New York governor, Trump addressed criticism over rising fuel costs while arguing that his administration was responsible for improving the broader economy.
Trump blamed Democrats for focusing on affordability concerns and said his administration was working to reduce prices.
On the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said that after Iran was defeated, he would “pretty soon” declare the strategic waterway U.S. territory. He also touted the naval blockade around the strait, saying ships would only pass through if the United States allowed them.
Trump acknowledged that he had used the military “a little more than I wanted to” to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. He argued that higher gas prices were an expected consequence of launching Operations Midnight Hammer and Epic Fury.
He also claimed gasoline prices remained below $2 per gallon in Iowa during a recent visit before his Middle East trip.
Gas prices climb after Iran strikes
Oil and diesel prices have increased sharply since the United States and Israel launched joint strikes against Iran.
AAA data showed U.S. gasoline prices rose more than 27 percent and diesel prices increased more than 31 percent after the strikes began. The national average reached $3.912 per gallon for gasoline and $5.159 for diesel, compared with $3.078 and $3.592 a year earlier.
On February 27, 2026, the day before the strikes began, gasoline averaged $2.98 per gallon and diesel was $3.76.
Reports noted that the national average had never exceeded $4 per gallon after August 12 in previous years. In response to rising costs, Trump issued a 60-day waiver of the Jones Act, a century-old maritime law requiring domestic cargo shipments to use U.S.-flagged and largely U.S.-crewed vessels.
The price increases create a political challenge for Trump, whose 2024 campaign focused heavily on lowering energy costs. Democrats are expected to highlight the economic effects of the war ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.
Iran rejects Trump’s territorial claim
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi rejected Trump’s claim that the Strait of Hormuz could become U.S. territory.
Gharibabadi said the waterway “cannot be seized with a tweet, an aircraft carrier, an executive order, or a campaign speech,” adding that Iran would not be intimidated by threats or military displays.
According to Benzinga’s translation of his remarks, Gharibabadi said the strait would remain under Iran’s control unless the United States accepted what he described as the reality of defeat.
The dispute follows the collapse of a temporary agreement reached earlier in the conflict. A June 2026 memorandum of understanding has since expired, with Iran demanding reparations, the release of frozen assets and an end to sanctions before reopening the waterway.
The Trump administration is reportedly considering an economic response as U.S. ammunition supplies decline and morale among personnel aboard the USS Lincoln faces pressure.
Allies respond as Strait of Hormuz disruption continues
Trump criticized NATO allies as “cowards” for refusing to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning, “we will REMEMBER.”
Despite the criticism, leaders from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan issued a joint statement supporting efforts to restore safe passage through the waterway and condemning Iranian attacks on commercial vessels.
Shipping through the strait remains heavily disrupted. The United Arab Emirates reported that vessels attempting to cross the waterway came under attack, highlighting continued instability despite the U.S. naval blockade.
Political fallout ahead of midterms
Energy markets have continued to rise, with Brent crude approaching $90 per barrel and U.S. gasoline prices nearing $4 per gallon as the conflict continues.
Vice President J.D. Vance previously said lowering gas prices was the administration’s top priority in its approach to the Iran conflict, according to the Washington Examiner reporting from the Long Island rally.
Democrats are expected to make the economic consequences of the war a major issue in the 2026 midterm elections.