During a 10/5 interview with NBC News, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright was asked if he supported a temporary suspension of the federal gas tax. Wright responded, "The government supports all measures that can lower retail gas prices and reduce costs for Americans."

When questioned about President Donald Trump's stance, Wright stated, "We are open to all ideas. Of course, every solution involves tradeoffs."

The US federal gas tax is currently 18 cents a gallon (0.05 USD a liter). In March, Democratic lawmakers in the US Congress proposed suspending this tax until October.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright at a forum on 11/3 in Washington. Photo: Reuters

Gas prices in the US have increased more than 50% since the start of the conflict, reaching an average of 4.52 USD a gallon (1.19 USD a liter) on 10/5, according to data from the American Automobile Association (AAA).

Wright declined to predict if the country's average gas price could reach 5 USD a gallon (1.32 USD per liter). "I cannot predict energy prices in the short or medium term," he said, but emphasized that "the US is currently in a strong position" with significant oil and natural gas production.

In March, Wright had predicted gas prices were "likely" to fall below 3 USD a gallon this summer. However, after eight weeks, gas prices continue to rise and show no early signs of returning to pre-conflict levels, as Iran maintains its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Experts suggest that while the US blockade of Iranian ports may reduce the country's oil revenue, Tehran can likely withstand this pressure for many months.

The US entering summer, its peak fuel consumption season, presents a significant hurdle for President Trump and the Republican Party ahead of the November midterm elections. With the conflict showing no signs of de-escalating, analysts suggest that fuel prices in the US could continue to surpass previous records.

Ha Thu (according to CNBC, Reuters)