Record Diesel Prices Deepen Trump's Political Woes.

US diesel prices hit a record $5.85 a gallon on Friday, topping the previous high of $5.82 set in June 2022. The US-Israel war against Iran, now six months old, has disrupted global fuel shipments.

• $3.76 was the pre-war national diesel average, per AAA.
• Brent crude topped $95 a barrel Friday, up from roughly $70 before the war.
• Russia halted diesel exports, with a ban potentially extended through year-end.
• 15% to 30% of total food cost is tied to fuel, per the Independent Grocers Alliance.

Why it matters: Diesel has no easy substitute in global freight, farming, or food logistics. That makes price spikes hard to absorb quickly.

• July US grocery prices were up 2.7% year-over-year; seafood up 7%, fresh fruit up 4.9%.
• Amazon added a 3.5% fuel surcharge; UPS, FedEx, and USPS also added fees on some shipments.

How 41 sources split on this story

Where they split: Coverage agrees on the price facts but diverges on who bears political responsibility — left-leaning outlets emphasize broad economic harm while the right-leaning outlet highlights Democratic criticism of Trump's decision to go to war with Iran.

What’s next: "As contracts reprice and fuel surcharges take hold, more of that cost makes its way to the grocery store," said David Ortega, Michigan State University food economics professor.

• Midterm elections in November may be shaped by voter response to fuel and food prices.
• How long can US refineries, already at 97% capacity, sustain higher output to offset global supply losses?
• Will peace negotiations reduce crude prices, or will escalating fighting push diesel above $6 a gallon?
• How much of the cost increase will retailers absorb versus pass directly to consumers?