US retail diesel averaged above $6.00/gal nationally on Thursday for the first
time, GasBuddy data show, as US–Iran tensions and Ukrainian strikes on Russian
refineries tightened supplies. Diesel, a key input for trucking, rail, shipping
and agriculture, is pushing up logistics and production costs; the national
average is about $2.30/gal higher than a year ago. GasBuddy analyst Patrick
DeHaan said record diesel prices could reignite inflation across supply chains.
Rising fuel costs are a political headache for President Trump and Republicans
lawmakers ahead of November midterms.