The U.S. president said the Strait of Hormuz was no longer driving prices. His explanation comes as fuel costs remain a political concern ahead of midterm elections.
U.S. President Donald Trump again attributed rising fuel prices to Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries rather than to the war with Iran launched by his administration, AFP reported, citing a post on Trump’s Truth Social account.
“What is driving up the price of gasoline is no longer the Strait of Hormuz, because a record number of barrels are moving through it almost every day, but the word ‘refineries,’” Trump wrote. He said Ukrainian forces were bombing Russian refineries and claimed some U.S. facilities had been shut down by Democrats in “blue” states such as California.
Gasoline and diesel prices are a significant source of voter frustration ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections. Republicans control both chambers of Congress, but current polls project the party could lose at least one, the House of Representatives.
Trump has previously blamed Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure for higher fuel costs. AFP noted that he had not commented on the growing number of Russian strikes on Ukrainian territory, particularly Kyiv. The report did not provide data substantiating Trump’s explanation for the price increases.