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The ongoing war with Iran is now nearing the two month mark, and there’s no end in sight. I think we’re very far away from *** negotiated deal. Among those caught in the middle are consumers. Since the war began February 28th, US gas. Prices have shot up more than 30% as of Saturday. The national average for *** gallon of regular gas was $4.09 according to AAA, *** far cry from the $2.98 drivers were paying at the pump before the war broke out. And originally, President Donald Trump said the spike in gas prices would be short-lived, but when asked again on Friday, he said this Does that mean Americans should anticipate spending more on gasoline? For the foreseeable future, for *** little while, the ongoing war has severely impacted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Before the war, roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply traveled through this key waterway. The violence has caused *** massive disruption in the world’s oil supply, sending gas and jet fuel prices soaring. Jet fuel is particularly under pressure right now because of the Strait of Hormuz being closed. Domestic airfare costs are up 18% for summer travelers. International flights up almost 8% compared to last year, according to Goeing.com. People should sort of expect them to stay more expensive, at least as long as fuel prices stay at this level. Several international airlines announced they’re cutting summer flights to save on costs, and that’s leaving travelers with fewer flight options. Other domestic carriers are now charging passengers more for checked bags to help offset the cost of rising jet fuel prices. All this happening ahead of the busy summer travel season. I’m Jen Sullivan reporting.
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The chief financial official for the Pentagon told lawmakers Wednesday that the estimated cost of the war with Iran is $25 billion so far.During a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee, Jules Hurst III, the acting undersecretary of war for finances, said that most of the expense has been on munitions, but the military has also spent money on running the operations and equipment replacement. “We will formulate a supplemental through the White House that will come to Congress once we have a full assessment of the cost of the conflict,” Hurst added.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing questioning from lawmakers for the first time since President Donald Trump’s administration launched the war against Iran.Until now, Hegseth has avoided public questioning from lawmakers about the war, although he and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine have held televised Pentagon briefings.Democrats quickly pivoted to the ballooning costs of the Iran War, the huge drawdown of critical U.S. munitions and the bombing of an elementary school that killed children. Some lawmakers have also questioned how prepared the military was to shoot down swarms of Iranian drones, some of which penetrated U.S. defenses and killed or injured American troops.Republicans have said they will keep faith in Trump’s wartime leadership, for now, citing Iran’s nuclear program, the potential for talks to resume and the high stakes of withdrawal. Still, GOP lawmakers are eager for the conflict to end, and some are eyeing future votes that could become an important test for the president if the war drags on.
The chief financial official for the Pentagon told lawmakers Wednesday that the estimated cost of the war with Iran is $25 billion so far.
During a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee, Jules Hurst III, the acting undersecretary of war for finances, said that most of the expense has been on munitions, but the military has also spent money on running the operations and equipment replacement.
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“We will formulate a supplemental through the White House that will come to Congress once we have a full assessment of the cost of the conflict,” Hurst added.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing questioning from lawmakers for the first time since President Donald Trump’s administration launched the war against Iran.
Until now, Hegseth has avoided public questioning from lawmakers about the war, although he and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine have held televised Pentagon briefings.
Democrats quickly pivoted to the ballooning costs of the Iran War, the huge drawdown of critical U.S. munitions and the bombing of an elementary school that killed children. Some lawmakers have also questioned how prepared the military was to shoot down swarms of Iranian drones, some of which penetrated U.S. defenses and killed or injured American troops.
Republicans have said they will keep faith in Trump’s wartime leadership, for now, citing Iran’s nuclear program, the potential for talks to resume and the high stakes of withdrawal. Still, GOP lawmakers are eager for the conflict to end, and some are eyeing future votes that could become an important test for the president if the war drags on.
