Oil Prices Spike as Trump Clings to Stalemate in Iran War, Hegseth Dodges Accountability

The Trump administration’s manufactured conflict with Iran is driving oil prices to new heights and deepening a costly stalemate. On Thursday, the top U.S. commander in the Middle East briefed Trump on possible military options and the ongoing blockade of the Persian Gulf — a chokehold that has stopped 38 Iranian ships but failed to open the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

Despite the blockade’s supposed success, Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei declared no interest in negotiations, asserting Iran’s control over the strait and vowing to resist “hostile enemies.” This defiance undercuts White House claims that the blockade is “incredible” and pressures Iran toward peace.

On Capitol Hill, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced sharp questioning from lawmakers who see the war as stuck, costly, and illegal without congressional authorization. The conflict has already cost over $25 billion, with oil prices surging past $126 a barrel — the highest in four years — hitting Americans at the gas pump.

Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) bluntly stated that the war cannot be considered successful while the strait remains closed. Meanwhile, Hegseth insisted critics should wait, claiming the cease-fire pauses the administration’s legal obligation to seek congressional approval. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) disagreed, warning of a looming legal crisis.

The administration’s push for a coalition to secure the strait won’t begin until the war ends, leaving the conflict and economic fallout unresolved. The Trump administration’s strategy of military escalation, economic warfare, and diplomatic sabotage continues to backfire — fueling global instability and domestic outrage without a clear path to peace or accountability.