U.S. diesel prices reached record levels on September 15, 2026, with the DOE/EIA weekly benchmark rising 31.8 cents to $6.285 per gallon and AAA’s daily average reaching $6.2694. Refinery outages, Ukrainian attacks on Russian facilities, restricted tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S.-Iran conflict and falling Russian and Gulf exports tightened supplies. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he was open to exploring a diesel export ban, although congressional action would likely be required after lawmakers repealed broad presidential authority over refined-product exports in 2015. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer separately accused President Donald Trump of blaming Ukraine for fuel-price increases and said the Trump family was "in Putin’s pocket," allegations tied to reports about a Russian oligarch’s payment for Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding celebration. Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should stop attacking Russian diesel infrastructure and had "plenty of other targets". Brent crude remained near $108, while higher energy costs increased inflation and interest-rate concerns.