Fuel prices in Arizona surge amid Iran strikes
PHOENIX (NBC, KYMA) - According to AAA, fuel prices in Arizona have surged sharply in recent days, with statewide averages increasing nearly 20% since recent U.S. and Israeli strikes in Iran sent global oil prices higher.
For 18 years, truck driver Jorge Soto has been fueling gas stations across the valley, delivering tank loads of gas 8,300 gallons at a time and watching the prices people pay for it fluctuate.
"When the gas is cheaper, it's better for us because we can do more loads," Soto shared. "It just goes up and down."
"We've just got to put up with it for a little bit, I hope," said Tommy Saucedo, a consumer.
Saucedo filled his tank for $3.99 a gallon in Avondale, one of the less expensive stations NBC affiliate KPNX saw Sunday.
"I've got no choice if I've got to get from here to there. Whatever the price is at the gas pump, I have to pay it anyways," Saucedo explained.
Across the valley in Phoenix, Grant Rose paid $4.15 per gallon to top off his tank.
"What's it maybe a dollar more now than it was a month ago?" Rose wondered. "It will curtail my driving a little bit."
The average cost of gas in phoenix is $4.07. It's slightly higher in the East Valley and West Valley.
According to AAA, gas prices typically climb in the spring as demand rises and summer-blend production begins, but the conflict between the U.S. and Iran is also a contributor.
The price of oil surged after President Donald Trump announced strikes in the Middle East could continue for weeks.
President Trump posted to social media Sunday saying in part, "Short term oil prices, which will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over, is a very small price to pay for USA and world and safety and peace."
A sentiment some Arizona drivers agreed with while others did not.
"You know, what we're going through right now is worth it," Saucedo expressed.
"I'm guessing that's why prices are going up. It serves us right," Rose added.
