Phoenix, Arizona – Saturday — Drivers across the Southwest could soon see higher gas prices after U.S. military strikes on Iran unsettled global oil markets and raised concerns about potential supply disruptions in the Middle East.
Energy analysts are closely monitoring the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping corridor bordering Iran through which roughly 20% of the world’s petroleum supply passes daily. Any threat to tanker traffic in that region can push crude oil futures sharply higher within hours.
Southwestern states — including Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas — are closely tied to national and global fuel pricing benchmarks. While Texas is a major oil-producing state, gasoline prices across the broader region still respond to international crude market swings.
The White House said the strikes targeted Iranian military infrastructure following reported threats to U.S. forces in the region. Traders are now watching for possible retaliation that could affect oil transit routes or production levels.
If crude prices surge when trading resumes, drivers in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Dallas, Houston, Albuquerque, and El Paso could begin seeing increases at the pump within days, depending on refinery capacity and supply inventories.
Commuters, trucking companies, tourism operators, and families planning weekend travel may feel the impact first as distributors adjust pricing to reflect global volatility.
Energy analysts say price swings could remain elevated if tensions escalate further, with additional market movement expected in the coming week.
