By Brigid Downey & Julia Solorzano
April 10, 2026
Since the start of "Operation Epic Fury," key oil supply routes have been disrupted, and gas costs have soared more than 40%, triggering price spikes for gas and jet fuel.
Prices at the pump are at their highest levels since 2022, when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shook global energy markets. In response to this concern, Americans are turning to alternatives, including carpooling, public transportation, and electric vehicles, to cope with the sudden rise in gas prices.
Iran launched an attack on Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, the world’s largest liquefied natural gas facility, after an Israeli strike on Iran’s South Pars offshore gas field. It accounts for roughly a fifth of the global supply of liquefied natural gas, leading to global oil and gas prices growing and stoking concerns that the war is set to deepen a global energy crisis.
Iran has also successfully blocked the Strait of Hormuz, where around 20% of the world’s gas normally passes through. The 3,000 ships carrying over 20 million barrels of gas transiting the Strait have quickly declined in number. Iran’s Parliament is strictly instituting a toll for boats passing through the Strait, but as of this week, Iran has allowed 20 oil-carrying cargo ships to pass. This, however, has not been enough to appease President Trump or prevent the price of gas from rising at home.
Iran’s government is strongly refusing to talk with the United States and meet Trump's proposal to end the war until their reparations are met. Trump, too, is threatening an attack on Iran, specifically targeting energy infrastructures like oil production facilities, which some debate might be considered a war crime.
Congress and other American officials have urged against sending in troops to Iran, as it would be dangerous. The United Nations is becoming a crucial organization during this time as it tries to minimize and control the spread of the war. The UN has demanded that Iran stop attacking neighboring countries in the Gulf to protect innocent lives.
As of the beginning of April, President Trump is certain that the war with Iran is going to last two to three more weeks since he has big plans to end it quickly. Nonetheless, gas and oil prices are rising and will continue to do so by the day.
Julia Solorazano and Brigid Downey are juniors at DHS. In their free time they play on the Field Hockey team, listen to music, and enjoy going to the beach.