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The Complicated Reality Behind High Gas Prices

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Posted By: earlybird, 5/6/2026 10:55:04 AM

Average gas prices in the United States have gone up by almost 40 percent since March 1. The reason appears straightforward: Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz in response to the U.S. military operation that decapitated its regime and degraded its military. Hundreds of tankers trapped behind the strait cannot deliver their oil, depriving the world of 7 percent to 10 percent of its supply. Although that explains drastic price increases and even shortages in Europe and Asia, the United States gets almost no oil through the strait. In theory, the country should be energy-independent, as it is a net petroleum exporter. But in reality, the United States is highly intertwined

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Reply 1 - Posted by: mc squared 5/6/2026 11:16:25 AM (No. 2101297)
More ethanol is NOT the answer. We all know the problems with the current 10% mix - 15% is a disaster, lower mileage is just one of the problems.
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The Complicated Reality Behind High Gas Prices 1 reply
Posted by earlybird 5/6/2026 10:55:04 AM Post Reply
Average gas prices in the United States have gone up by almost 40 percent since March 1. The reason appears straightforward: Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz in response to the U.S. military operation that decapitated its regime and degraded its military. Hundreds of tankers trapped behind the strait cannot deliver their oil, depriving the world of 7 percent to 10 percent of its supply. Although that explains drastic price increases and even shortages in Europe and Asia, the United States gets almost no oil through the strait. In theory, the country should be energy-independent, as it is a net petroleum exporter. But in reality, the United States is highly intertwined
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