Gas hits $4.27 a gallon as Republicans privately admit Trump’s ‘little detour’ into Iran is sinking them

US petrol prices have reached an average of $4.27 a gallon as the prolonged war with Iran adds to cost-of-living pressures and creates difficulties for Republican candidates ahead of the November elections. The article says voters are frustrated by both rising energy costs and a conflict President Donald Trump had initially said would end within weeks.

AAA puts diesel at $6.35 a gallon, below its late-September record of $6.52; regular petrol was $2.81 in January. A CNN analysis of AAA data found average petrol prices during Trump’s second term were $3.473 a gallon, compared with $3.471 under Joe Biden. Texas Senate candidate Ken Paxton reportedly blamed the war and fuel costs for dragging his campaign, while Iowa candidate Ashley Hinson expressed concern about a temporary deal allowing Russian diesel imports and suggested considering a gas-tax pause or diesel rebates for farmers and hauliers.