Gas prices debate continues in Congress. Can Washington lower costs?

Lawmakers in Washington are trading blame with officials from President Donald Trump's administration as gas prices have continued to rise since the United States and Israel launched joint military strikes against Iran.

The average price of a gallon of regular gas in the U.S. on Wednesday, Sept. 16, was $4.36, according to AAA. That's up from an average of $4.22 one week ago on Sept. 9, and $3.16 one year ago on Sept. 16, 2025, the group said. The average price of diesel fuel on Wednesday, Sept. 10, was $6.31, according to AAA.

Oil prices have spiked amid continued escalation in the war between the United States and Iran. Futures for Brent crude oil, the international benchmark, reached about $106 per barrel on Wednesday, Sept. 16. Futures for November delivery of West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark, were trading at around $103 per barrel.

Patrick De Haan, Head of Petroleum Analysis at GasBuddy, said in post on X that gas and diesel prices are both expected to continue rising as the Iran war continues.

"We may set a new 2026 high for average gas prices by the weekend," he wrote. "Currently $4.371/gal and climbing, previous high $4.566/gal. diesel average at…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/money/