US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Sunday, 3 May 2025, defended President Donald Trump's handling of the ongoing Iran conflict, even as average US gasoline prices climbed to $4.45 per gallon, straining American households and deepening economic concerns. Speaking in an interview to ABC News, Duffy acknowledged the energy cost surge but expressed confidence that prices would fall once supply routes stabilise.

Duffy's Defence of Trump's Iran Policy

The Transportation Secretary framed the crisis squarely within national security terms, backing Trump's decision to confront Iran. "We can't have a nuclear Iran," he said, describing Tehran as "the most destabilising force in the world for 40 years". Duffy praised Trump's approach as "bold action" aimed at ensuring "the world and America is safer".

Strait of Hormuz: The Critical Chokepoint

Central to the fuel price crisis is the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route disrupted by the conflict. Duffy indicated that relief would be swift once the waterway reopens. "Once the Strait opens, you'll see prices come down, come down immediately," he said. However, he cautioned that full recovery would not be instantaneous. "There's going to be a tail to that. It's going to take time to get back to where we were before this conflict began," he added. Energy analysts note that even under favourable conditions, full normalisation of global supply could take months.

US Energy Dominance and Consumer Relief

Pressed on the immediate economic pain facing consumers, Duffy pointed to domestic energy production capacity. "In America, we're not going to have supply shortages because we produce so much here," he said, underscoring what he described as US "energy dominance". He also linked recent tax measures to household relief, noting that Trump "wanted to make sure that Americans got a big tax refund this tax season". Despite the domestic production argument, many Americans have already begun cutting back on driving and discretionary household spending as prices remain elevated.

Spirit Airlines Collapse: War Not the Sole Cause

Duffy also addressed the shutdown of budget carrier Spirit Airlines, rejecting claims that the Iran conflict alone triggered its collapse. "They were bleeding money," he said, noting the airline had already filed for bankruptcy and faced long-standing financial difficulties. He added that the administration had coordinated with other carriers to minimise disruption, describing it as "a unified American approach to helping passengers and employees of Spirit navigate this crisis".

What Comes Next

Energy analysts say the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remains the single most critical variable for easing global supply constraints. With US gasoline prices at elevated levels and the Iran conflict showing no immediate signs of resolution, economic pressure on American consumers is likely to persist in the near term. The administration's ability to translate its "energy dominance" argument into tangible price relief will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.