Trump Blames Ukraine and Opposition for Gas Prices, Saying "It's Not a Hormuz Issue"

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on the 5th (local time) that the rise in gasoline prices is no longer due to the Strait of Hormuz, but rather issues with oil refineries.

On social media Truth Social that day, President Trump stated, "What is driving up gasoline prices is no longer the Strait of Hormuz, because record numbers of barrels (of oil) are coming out of there almost every day now."

President Trump went on to emphasize, "The problem is the refineries. Russian refineries are being blown up by Ukraine, and our refineries are being shut down by stupid Democrats in Democrat-dominated states like California."

President Trump's remarks are interpreted as meaning that there are no longer disruptions in oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz, and that a shortage of refineries that process crude oil into gasoline is the cause of the price hike.

In effect, he shifted the blame for rising gas prices onto the war in Ukraine and policies in Democrat-led states, rather than the war with Iran that he caused.

As the rising prices of diesel and gasoline acted as negative factors for the November midterm elections, President Trump blamed the war in Ukraine while demanding that European nations release strategic reserves.

Following his claim on September 15 that "the rise in global diesel prices is mainly due to the war between Russia and Ukraine, not Iran," President Trump urged an end to the war on September 21, stating, "Russia has unfortunately lost control over its diesel industry because of the war with Ukraine."

He then pressured European nations such as France and Germany, warning that he could ban U.S. diesel exports if they do not release their stockpiled diesel. Centering on these countries, the Group of 7 (G7) agreed to release 100 million barrels of stockpiled diesel and crude oil.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.