https://motube.smithandtech.com/videos/watch/473107d2-bc21-4f15-aff8-b9204971a8b1 White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday sought to ease concerns about rising gasoline prices amid the U.S. military operations against Iran, which have essentially shut down shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil transits.   “Rest assured, to the American people, the recent increase in oil and gas prices is temporary, and this operation will result in lower gas prices in the long term,” she told reporters during a press briefing.   “Once the national security objectives of Operation Epic Fury are fully achieved, Americans will see oil and gas prices drop rapidly, potentially even lower than they were prior to the start of the operation.”   Oil prices spiked to more than $119 a barrel on Monday, their highest level since June 2022, as shipping through the strait dried up and supply cuts by Saudi Arabia and other producers sparked fears of disruption to the global oil supply.   Ms. Leavitt said the Trump administration was watching markets closely and that the U.S. military was drawing up plans to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.   The press secretary also said the U.S. military had not escorted any oil tankers through the strait, contradicting a since-deleted post by Energy Secretary Chris Wright.   “I was made aware of this post. I haven’t had a chance to talk to the Energy secretary about it directly, however, I know the post was taken down pretty quickly and I can confirm that the U.S. Navy has not escorted a tanker or a vessel at this time,” she told reporters.   But Ms. Leavitt said President Trump was still preserving the option of military escorts in the future.   “That’s an option the president has said he will absolutely utilize if and when necessary at the appropriate time,” she said. Mon, 04 May 2026 21:47:05 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://motube.smithandtech.com https://motube.smithandtech.com/lazy-static/avatars/933c9118-81c8-4e69-a82c-512c3a13a060.jpg https://motube.smithandtech.com/videos/watch/473107d2-bc21-4f15-aff8-b9204971a8b1 All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://motube.smithandtech.com/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder.