‘Americans will see oil and gas prices decrease rapidly’ when war in Iran ends: Leavitt

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said “Americans will see oil and gas prices decrease rapidly” after the conflict with Iran ends.

The price of crude oil surpassed $110 a barrel on Monday, according to the Associated Press. Across the U.S., drivers were paying an average of $3.48 for a gallon of regular gasoline, compared with $2.98 before the war started.

Prices have increased about 17% since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran, per the AP.

“Rest assured to the American people, the recent increase in oil and gas prices is temporary and this operation will result in lower gas prices in the long-term,” Leavitt said.

She shared the news during a news briefing on Tuesday, which she said marked the tenth day of “Operation Epic Fury.”

“Last night, President Trump reiterated his commitment toward keeping oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, so the United States and all of our allies can receive their energy needs,” Leavitt said.

“President Trump will not allow rogue Iranian terrorists to stop the freedom of navigation and the free flow of energy,” she added.

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 10: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a news briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on March 10, 2026 in Washington, DC. Leavitt spoke on a range of topics including the President’s schedule and the ongoing joint strikes on Iran. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

The briefing comes amid escalating military operations, including what U.S. defense officials have described as the most intense day of strikes yet against Iran’s military infrastructure, and heightened scrutiny over the war’s conduct and objectives.

“Ten days in, this campaign has been a resounding success thus far, and America’s warriors are winning this important fight at an even faster pace than we anticipated,” Leavitt said, adding that more than 5,000 enemy targets have been hit so far.

She also said Iran’s ballistic missile attacks are down more than 90%, and more than 50 Iranian naval vessels were destroyed.

“It is a good thing to wipe out terrorists,” Leavitt said during the briefing.

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have defended U.S. military operations in Iran as necessary to protect American interests and restore deterrence in the region.

Trump has described the strikes as decisive and aimed at weakening Iran’s military capabilities, arguing they forced Tehran to reconsider its actions.

Hegseth has emphasized the scale and intensity of the campaign, calling it a focused effort to degrade strategic targets while protecting U.S. forces.

Both have framed the conflict as a response to escalating threats, while maintaining that the administration’s objective is stability and security, not prolonged war.