Overview
- The U.S. average for regular gasoline reached $4.51 per gallon on Tuesday, the highest since July 2022, according to GasBuddy.
- U.S. Central Command launched Project Freedom on Sunday to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, and a Tuesday briefing reported nine Iranian attacks on commercial vessels and two seizures since early April.
- California’s statewide average rose past $6.11, and state energy officials said about six weeks of fuel remain on hand as refinery closures that removed roughly 20% of capacity and reliance on imports tighten supply.
- Gasoline stockpiles are at multi‑year seasonal lows, and analysts warn prices could climb toward $5–$7 per gallon this summer if flows through Hormuz are not restored.
- Politics are sharpening as Gov. Gavin Newsom defends California’s gas tax and blames the Iran war for higher costs, while conservative outlets note Trump’s prediction that prices will soon ease.