White House says measures in place to ease fuel price spike amid Iran conflict
WASHINGTON, DC: The White House on Thursday, May 7, insisted it has a strategy in place to limit the economic fallout from rising fuel prices triggered by the ongoing conflict with Iran, amid growing concern over soaring jet fuel costs and increasing airfares.
Responding to questions about anxiety within the administration over energy market volatility, White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said President Donald Trump and his energy team had anticipated “short-term disruptions” resulting from “Operation Epic Fury.”
“The president and his energy team anticipated these short-term disruptions to the global energy markets from Operation Epic Fury and had a plan prepared to mitigate these disruptions,” Rogers said in a statement to CBS News.
Jones Act waiver aimed at easing supply pressure
Rogers said the administration’s response included a temporary waiver of the Jones Act, which restricts cargo transport between US ports to American-built and American-operated ships.
According to the White House, the move was intended to allow energy supplies to move more freely across domestic ports and reduce pressure on US fuel markets.
A White House official said the waiver had already enabled roughly 9 million barrels of American oil to reach domestic destinations across several states, helping businesses avoid heavier reliance on foreign imports.
The administration also said officials are continuing to work closely with energy companies and industry leaders to address concerns about rising transportation and fuel costs.
“We continue to work closely with the private sector and industry to address their concerns, explore potential actions, and inform the president’s policy decisions,” Rogers said.
White House predicts markets will stabilize
Despite mounting worries over fuel prices, the administration projected confidence that global energy markets would stabilize if pressure on Iran continues.
Rogers defended the Trump administration’s hardline approach toward Tehran, saying ongoing measures against Iran would eventually help drive prices lower.
“As President Trump continues to exert maximum leverage over Iran with the ongoing successful blockade to bring this conflict to an end, we will see global energy markets stabilize and gas prices plummet back to the multi-year lows Americans enjoyed prior to the start of Operation Epic Fury,” she said.
Concerns grow over airfare increases
The White House response came after a report by The Wall Street Journal said advisers close to Trump were increasingly worried that prolonged conflict in the Middle East could sustain elevated fuel prices and damage the economy.
According to the report, Chris Sununu, who leads the airline industry trade group Airlines for America, warned Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that airfares would continue to rise sharply if the conflict drags on.
Jet fuel prices have surged in recent weeks alongside broader volatility in global oil markets, raising fears that consumers could face higher travel costs during a critical period for the airline industry.
The issue has also added pressure on the Trump administration as it seeks to reassure Americans that the economic consequences of the Iran conflict will remain temporary and manageable.
