Full Breakdown
Trump Calls Emergency Oil and Gas Meeting Amid Iran War-Driven Energy Crisis
4/30/2026, 12:18:36 AM
Emergency White House Meeting on Energy
President Donald Trump convened a secret Tuesday meeting at the White House with senior officials to address soaring gasoline prices caused by the Iran war and the Strait of Hormuz blockade. Attendees included White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, special envoy Steve Witkoff, son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Chevron CEO Mike Wirth. A White House official said the agenda covered domestic production, progress in Venezuela, oil futures, natural gas, and shipping.
Background: Iran Conflict and Strait of Hormuz Disruption
The February 28 Iran conflict has shut the Strait of Hormuz, which moves about 20 % of global oil, pushing U.S. gasoline to $4.23 per gallon, the highest level since the war began (AAA).
Key Figures and Their Roles
Key participants were President Donald Trump, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, special envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Chevron CEO Mike Wirth. White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers issued statements, and International Energy Agency head Fatih Birol provided an external assessment.
Data and Statistics
Gasoline averaged $4.23 per gallon (AAA); the Strait moves roughly one-fifth of global oil; IEA warned Europe has about six weeks of jet fuel if the blockade persists.
Why It Matters
Higher fuel costs worsen the cost-of-living crisis and have lowered Trump’s approval to a record 34 %, while the energy shock threatens markets and may affect the November midterm elections.
Official Statements & Responses
The White House described the price spikes as short-term disruptions that will ease as Strait traffic normalizes. Trump told Fox News that gasoline prices may stay similar or rise slightly before the midterms, and he cancelled an in-person meeting with Iran’s foreign minister, preferring telephone talks.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts criticize the administration’s response; IEA head Fatih Birol called it “the largest energy crisis we have ever faced.” Domestic critics note Trump’s dismissal of price concerns and the link between rising fuel costs and his slipping approval.
Verbatim Quotes
- “brought oil and gas prices down to multi-year lows at record speed.” — Taylor Rogers, White House spokeswoman
- “As traffic in the Strait of Hormuz normalizes, these energy prices will plummet once again. President Trump has always been clear that these are short-term, temporary disruptions,” — Taylor Rogers, White House spokeswoman
- “It could be, or the same, or maybe a little ?bit higher, but it should be around the same,” — Donald Trump, Fox News interview with Maria Bartiromo
- “the largest energy crisis we have ever faced.” — Fatih Birol, International Energy Agency head
What’s Next
Trump indicated that future engagement with Iran will be conducted by telephone rather than an in-person mission, and he warned that gasoline prices could increase further before the November midterm elections.
