U.S. fuel prices reached record or near-record levels as the prolonged Iran conflict restricted energy flows and strained refining capacity, raising costs for trucking, heating, food delivery, farming and retail goods. President Trump called rising gasoline prices a small "price to pay" for the war, while critics including Sen. Bernie Sanders said households and businesses could not afford current energy costs. The Federal Reserve unanimously raised its federal funds target by 25 basis points to 3.75%-4.00%, with nearly all policymakers indicating another increase later this year could be appropriate as inflation remained elevated and officials abandoned the assumption that the energy shock would be temporary. Diesel was reported at $6.31 a gallon, while the Energy Information Administration put the national on-highway average at $6.285 on September 14 and AAA later reported $6.3956; differing figures reflect separate dates and measures. Gasoline reached about $4.43 nationally, California diesel averaged $8.04, and heating-oil users in the Northeast could face bills as much as 31% higher this winter if prices remain elevated. J.B. Hunt expects at least a $10 million earnings headwind, while Charlie Bilello estimated higher fuel costs had imposed more than $100 billion in additional costs on U.S. households. Oil traded above $100 a barrel as the Strait of Hormuz remained closed, although Saudi Arabia's efforts to reroute crude exports through Oman pushed crude prices lower; experts said diesel remained constrained mainly by refining capacity.