President Trump said Americans should expect elevated oil and gas prices through the November midterm elections, attributing the pressure to the U.S.-Iran conflict and predicting prices would tumble afterward. Brent crude rose above $100 per barrel on Sept. 9, while the national average gasoline price reached $4.22 per gallon. WTI crude previously exceeded $112 as fighting disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which carries roughly 20% of global oil supplies, while Houthi attacks added shipping risk. Trump has engaged refiners and fuel retailers, but higher energy costs continue to affect household budgets, transportation, consumer prices and oil producers’ earnings. A restoration of normal Hormuz traffic could pull Brent toward $70-$80, the report said.