U.S.- Iran Tensions Rise

Anna Hsia

The war with Iran may be closer to the United States than many think, as Americans are already feeling its effects at the gas pump. As tensions rise around the Strait of Hormuz, prices have increased with no clear end in sight.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important waterways, carrying about 20% of global oil shipments and 20% of seaborne liquefied natural gas. Now largely closed to U.S. access, the disruption is already affecting gas prices nationwide. The national average has reached $3.94 per gallon, an increase of more than $1 over the past month.

That spike is not random but the result of escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran. On Feb. 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, assassinating Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Iranian government swiftly named his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the new leader.

Compared with his father, Mojtaba Khamenei has remained largely out of the public eye, rarely appearing or speaking publicly. He is known for working behind the scenes and maintaining close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an ideological force tasked with defending Iran’s system of government and preventing internal threats such as military coups.

President Donald Trump added to the tension by threatening to “hit and obliterate” Iranian power plants on his social media platform, Truth Social, if the strait is not fully reopened within 48 hours of a late Saturday post. Strikes on power plants could cause widespread blackouts across Iran, disrupting hospitals and daily life, as much of the country depends on a centralized power grid.

Trump later delayed the strike deadline, saying the U.S. and Iran were negotiating. Iranian officials denied those claims and accused Trump of making false statements. In the same post, he also said the largest target, which he did not name, would be hit first.

Beyond oil and political threats, Iran has launched multiple waves of Shahed-136 drones. These low-cost drones, often described as being made from flimsy materials, have been used against U.S. forces, Israel and neighboring countries.

While a single drone can cost as little as $20,000, U.S. interceptor missiles can cost millions, raising concerns about the long-term financial sustainability of such defenses.

For many in the West, the strikes have created a sense of unease. However, for some Iranians including individuals I have seen on social media the moment has been described as joyous.

These reactions represent only a fraction of perspectives. The conflict is ongoing, and its long-term consequences remain unknown.