3/13/26: Begich Said Starting A War With Iran Was “The Right Decision.” According to the Alaska Beacon, "Q: To switch subjects again — the big thing right now is the Iran war. You’ve talked about it, talked about your support with it. Are you satisfied with how the war is being fought at this point to accomplish the goals that you’ve laid out? A: I am. I’ve been impressed with the precision of our war fighters. I’ve been impressed with — Q: Despite the bombing of the school? A: Well, that’s still under investigation, and I don’t think that we have gotten root cause, full root cause analysis on that. Note: Hours after this interview, a preliminary investigation concluded that the United States did destroy the school, killing students and teachers. Q: But it was an American Tomahawk that destroyed that? A: My understanding is that is still under investigation, and I’m still waiting for final information on that. But nevertheless, we have decimated their navy. We have destroyed their offensive capabilities with respect to ballistic missiles. We have severely degraded their nuclear program. And I think the message is abundantly clear, the United States is not going to tolerate a nuclear Iran, not today, not ever. We’re not going to tolerate an Iran that seeks a nuclear weapon. We are not going to tolerate an Iran that chants ‘Death to America’ in their official places of legislative business. This is not something that the United States can take lightly. And when we think about the tens of thousands of people that the regime murdered, protesters murdered in the streets, this is a regime that is, quite frankly, very evil. It’s not just us that they’re a danger to. They’re a danger to citizens in the region. They’re a danger to their own citizens. And at the end of the day, the United States has a responsibility to America. We have a responsibility to our allies. I receive confidential, classified intelligence briefings, as do other members of Congress. And I walked into the first Iran briefing thinking that this was the right decision. I left that briefing knowing that it was." [Alaska Beacon, 3/13/26]
3/13/26: Begich Said The Iranian Regime Was “Quite Frankly, Very Evil” And Said The U.S. Was Sending A Clear Message That “We’re Not Going To Tolerate An Iran That Seeks A Nuclear Weapon.” According to the Alaska Beacon, "Q: To switch subjects again — the big thing right now is the Iran war. You’ve talked about it, talked about your support with it. Are you satisfied with how the war is being fought at this point to accomplish the goals that you’ve laid out? A: I am. I’ve been impressed with the precision of our war fighters. I’ve been impressed with — Q: Despite the bombing of the school? A: Well, that’s still under investigation, and I don’t think that we have gotten root cause, full root cause analysis on that. Note: Hours after this interview, a preliminary investigation concluded that the United States did destroy the school, killing students and teachers. Q: But it was an American Tomahawk that destroyed that? A: My understanding is that is still under investigation, and I’m still waiting for final information on that. But nevertheless, we have decimated their navy. We have destroyed their offensive capabilities with respect to ballistic missiles. We have severely degraded their nuclear program. And I think the message is abundantly clear, the United States is not going to tolerate a nuclear Iran, not today, not ever. We’re not going to tolerate an Iran that seeks a nuclear weapon. We are not going to tolerate an Iran that chants ‘Death to America’ in their official places of legislative business. This is not something that the United States can take lightly. And when we think about the tens of thousands of people that the regime murdered, protesters murdered in the streets, this is a regime that is, quite frankly, very evil. It’s not just us that they’re a danger to. They’re a danger to citizens in the region. They’re a danger to their own citizens. And at the end of the day, the United States has a responsibility to America. We have a responsibility to our allies. I receive confidential, classified intelligence briefings, as do other members of Congress. And I walked into the first Iran briefing thinking that this was the right decision. I left that briefing knowing that it was." [Alaska Beacon, 3/13/26]
3/13/26: Begich Said He Was Satisfied With How The War In Iran Was Being Fought And Said “I’ve Been Impressed With The Precision Of Our War Fighters.” According to the Alaska Beacon, "Q: To switch subjects again — the big thing right now is the Iran war. You’ve talked about it, talked about your support with it. Are you satisfied with how the war is being fought at this point to accomplish the goals that you’ve laid out? A: I am. I’ve been impressed with the precision of our war fighters. I’ve been impressed with — Q: Despite the bombing of the school? A: Well, that’s still under investigation, and I don’t think that we have gotten root cause, full root cause analysis on that. Note: Hours after this interview, a preliminary investigation concluded that the United States did destroy the school, killing students and teachers. Q: But it was an American Tomahawk that destroyed that? A: My understanding is that is still under investigation, and I’m still waiting for final information on that. But nevertheless, we have decimated their navy. We have destroyed their offensive capabilities with respect to ballistic missiles. We have severely degraded their nuclear program. And I think the message is abundantly clear, the United States is not going to tolerate a nuclear Iran, not today, not ever. We’re not going to tolerate an Iran that seeks a nuclear weapon. We are not going to tolerate an Iran that chants ‘Death to America’ in their official places of legislative business. This is not something that the United States can take lightly. And when we think about the tens of thousands of people that the regime murdered, protesters murdered in the streets, this is a regime that is, quite frankly, very evil. It’s not just us that they’re a danger to. They’re a danger to citizens in the region. They’re a danger to their own citizens. And at the end of the day, the United States has a responsibility to America. We have a responsibility to our allies. I receive confidential, classified intelligence briefings, as do other members of Congress. And I walked into the first Iran briefing thinking that this was the right decision. I left that briefing knowing that it was." [Alaska Beacon, 3/13/26]
2/28/26: Begich Said Military Action In Iran Was A “Necessary” Response. According to a press release from Rep. Nick Begich, "The United States cannot afford complacency against a regime hell-bent on our destruction. This decisive military action taken against key elements of Iran’s nuclear programs and broader offensive capabilities is a necessary and targeted response. Iran’s longstanding nuclear program, pursued in secret and in defiance of international agreements for decades, remains one of the most serious threats to American national security. Despite prolonged rounds of negotiations, the regime has repeatedly demonstrated bad faith, employing stalling tactics, concealment of facilities, and outright deception to protect and advance its illicit uranium enrichment and weaponization efforts. These actions have made it clear that continued diplomatic engagement alone is insufficient to halt Iran’s progress toward a nuclear breakout capability. Yet the danger Iran poses is much broader. The regime actively fuels an emergent anti-American alliance by providing military support, including funding, weapons, training, and intelligence, to terrorist proxies such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, Hamas, and various Shia militias across Iraq and Syria. Iran has deepened military and economic ties with America’s adversaries, forging a network of authoritarian powers that openly target the United States and our allies. " [Press Release – Rep. Nick Begich, 2/28/26]
7/23/26: Begich Effectively Voted Against Withdrawing US Troops From Iran. In July 2026 Begich voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, “motion to discharge the Foreign Relations Committee from further consideration of the joint resolution that would direct the president to withdraw U.S. armed forces hostilities against Iran not authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for military force.” The vote was on adoption of the resolution. The House adopted the resolution by a vote of 214 to 208. [House Vote 282, 7/23/26; Congressional Quarterly, 7/23/26; Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res.89]
6/3/26: Begich Voted Against Terminating Hostilities Against Iran Without A Declaration Of War. In June 2026, Begich voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, “adoption of a resolution that would direct the president to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.” The vote was on passage. The House adopted the resolution by a vote of 215 to 208. [House Vote 199, 6/3/26; Congressional Quarterly, 6/3/26; Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res. 86]
5/14/26: Begich Voted Against Terminating Hostilities Against Iran Without A Declaration Of War. In May 2026, Begich voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, “the concurrent resolution that would direct the president to terminate the use of U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a specific authorization for use of military force against Iran. It would clarify that nothing in the measure could be construed to disrupt intelligence, counterintelligence or investigative activities.” The vote was on passage. The House rejected the resolution by a vote of 212 to 212. [House Vote 170, 5/14/26; Congressional Quarterly, 5/14/26; Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res. 75]
4/16/26: Begich Voted Against Directing The President To Withdraw Troops From Iran Unless Authorized By Congress. In April 2026, Begich voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, “the concurrent resolution that would direct the president to terminate the use of U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force against Iran. The measure would exempt the use of U.S. armed forces that may be necessary to defend the U.S. or a U.S. ally or partner from imminent attack.” The vote was on passage. The House rejected the resolution by a vote of 213 to 214. [House Vote 114, 4/16/26; Congressional Quarterly, 4/16/26; Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res.40]
3/5/26: Begich Voted Against Directing President Trump To Withdraw Troops From Iran. In March 2026, Begich voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, “the concurrent resolution that would direct the president to terminate the use of U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran or any part of its military, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force against Iran.” The vote was on passage. The House rejected the concurrent resolution by a vote of 212 to 219. [House Vote 85, 3/5/26; Congressional Quarterly, 3/5/26; Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res.38]
As Of June 2026, The War In Iran Cost U.S. Families $100 Billion So Far. According to Fortune, "$750 a household—or $100 billion. This is the cost that Moody’s has calculated the Iran War has been so far to the U.S. consumer. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, said the cost passed on to households is the result of increased military spending and higher prices as a result of oil supply disruption out of the Middle East. Since the U.S. and Israel launched action against Iran—setting off a domino-effect of attacks across the Middle East—brent crude has topped $110 a barrel on multiple occasions." [Fortune, 6/2/26]
July 2026: Prices For Fresh Food, School Supplies, And Any Goods That Required Shipment Were Expected To Increase Amid Energy Price Increases Due To The United States’ War With Iran. According to PBS, “Already feeling pinched since the start of the Iran war, consumers are likely to feel more pain ahead as oil prices pushed past $100 a barrel Thursday amid renewed fighting and military strikes that have left global oil supplies stranded in the Middle East. The elevated price marked a turn from lower oil prices enjoyed briefly when hostilities between the U.S. and Iran waned in June. Brent crude, the international standard, last reached $100 a barrel in May. Companies that produce and sell fresh food, school supplies and anything that gets shipped using fuel reported cost impacts from an earlier spike in energy prices after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran. They're likely to continue passing some of their increased expenses to consumers.” [PBS News, 7/24/26]
HEADLINE: "Higher Prices For Gas, Groceries And Flights Will Likely Outlast The Iran War" [AP News, 6/16/26]
Tomatoes, Bananas, And Onions Experienced Major Price Hikes Since The Beginning Of The War. According to Fortune, "The U.S., Israel, and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday, but the sticker shock you’ve been feeling every time you go to the grocery store will get worse if the war continues. One of the first places you’ll feel it will be the produce aisle, experts say. A Fortune analysis of produce wholesale prices from USDA data found grocery-cart staples such as tomatoes, bananas, and yellow onions have experienced significant price spikes since the war began. The United Nations reported its global food price index rose by 2.4% in March, the second consecutive month of rising prices." [Fortune, 4/8/26]
Consumers Faced Higher Costs Of Airfare Due To The Increased Price Of Fuel For Airlines. According to Arizona’s Family, "The week before the war started, the price of jet fuel was $2.50 a gallon. On Tuesday, April 28, the price is $4.26, according to Airlines for America. ‘I fly Southwest mostly. I was able to get a straight flight home and two from here. It was higher than normal, for sure,’ said Patrick Foy, who was flying from Phoenix to Louisiana. Major airliners have already raised checked baggage fees because of the rising fuel prices, while some of the smaller, budget airlines are asking the federal government for billions of dollars in assistance. ‘It’s obviously frustrating. It affects our family’s budget,’ Foy said. Gas experts have said even when the war in Iran ends, the full relief people see at the pump or when buying a plane ticket will most likely not be immediate." [Arizona’s Family, 4/28/26]
3/13/26: Begich Said Congressional Action To Combat The Spike In Fuel Prices Due To The War In Iran Was Not “Necessarily” Needed. According to the Alaska Beacon, "Q: One of the side effects of the war has been the spike in fuel prices recently. Do you think there’s something Congress should do on that, and if so, what is it? A: Unfortunately, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve was drained significantly under the previous administration prior to the midterms. We did not have a true energy emergency at that time, but we have the potential to have one now. I think that use of the SBR should be considered. But what we’ve also seen is oil prices spike to around $120 a barrel and back off down to the high $80s. And that has happened just in the last 12 hours or so. We’re seeing that the Strait of Hormuz is opening back up already, and if that continues, I believe that we will have more normalized prices at the pump as a result of oil dropping into a $70 to $90 range. We’ll see what the capabilities of the Iranians are and their commitment to attempting to disrupt oil flows actually is over the next week. But if we use the missile launches from Iran in the region as a proxy for their capabilities, they’ve been severely degraded. And so I would expect that we’ll see the strait continue to normalize over the coming weeks, and that should result in more stability at the pump. Q: So not necessarily any congressional action needed immediately on this? A: Not necessarily. We’ll have to watch and see whether oil prices sustainably rise over $100 a barrel. I think once we get into the $120 to $150 range, that gets a little more concerning, of course. But as long as we can keep those prices under $90 a barrel, the end consumer is not going to see a significant long term structural price increase in gas. It will be temporary. " [Alaska Beacon, 3/13/26]
3/13/26: Begich Promised Alaskans That High Gas Prices Due To The Iran War Would Be “Temporary.” According to the Alaska Beacon, "Q: One of the side effects of the war has been the spike in fuel prices recently. Do you think there’s something Congress should do on that, and if so, what is it? A: Unfortunately, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve was drained significantly under the previous administration prior to the midterms. We did not have a true energy emergency at that time, but we have the potential to have one now. I think that use of the SBR should be considered. But what we’ve also seen is oil prices spike to around $120 a barrel and back off down to the high $80s. And that has happened just in the last 12 hours or so. We’re seeing that the Strait of Hormuz is opening back up already, and if that continues, I believe that we will have more normalized prices at the pump as a result of oil dropping into a $70 to $90 range. We’ll see what the capabilities of the Iranians are and their commitment to attempting to disrupt oil flows actually is over the next week. But if we use the missile launches from Iran in the region as a proxy for their capabilities, they’ve been severely degraded. And so I would expect that we’ll see the strait continue to normalize over the coming weeks, and that should result in more stability at the pump. Q: So not necessarily any congressional action needed immediately on this? A: Not necessarily. We’ll have to watch and see whether oil prices sustainably rise over $100 a barrel. I think once we get into the $120 to $150 range, that gets a little more concerning, of course. But as long as we can keep those prices under $90 a barrel, the end consumer is not going to see a significant long term structural price increase in gas. It will be temporary. " [Alaska Beacon, 3/13/26]
7/6/26: Rural Alaskans Faced “Some Of The Highest Fuel Prices In The Nation” With Some Alaskans Paying Over $9 A Gallon In July As The War In Iran Continued. According to the Wall Street Journal, "John Stelling had just cranked the digits of his fuel pump to $9.10 at his gas station in this remote Alaskan community when he realized he had a problem. Could he push the meter to $10 if he had to? ‘Not sure if it’ll handle those,’ he said of double-digit fuel prices. In rural Alaska, the war with Iran has led to some of the highest fuel prices in the nation. Remote towns and villages aren’t connected to the road system, so they pay hefty premiums to procure gasoline, heating oil and diesel for cranking out electricity. Fuel typically arrives by barge in the summer, when ice clears from waterways. The last barge to unload sets the price until the next delivery—months away. Many communities had no choice this year but to place their orders in the spring, just as the Iran war sent prices soaring. That means that even if the U.S. and Iran reach a peace deal and the Strait of Hormuz reopens permanently, rural Alaskans will be stuck with exorbitant energy prices long after they have come down for the rest of the country." [Wall Street Journal, 7/6/26]
As Of July 15, The Average Household In Alaska Had Already Paid An Extra $503 For Gasoline Since Trump Began The War In Iran. According to the Alaska Independent, "The average household in Alaska has already paid an extra $503 on gasoline since President Donald Trump began U.S. military attacks against Iran on Feb. 28, according to a new analysis by the minority staff of Congress’ Joint Economic Committee. Nationally, gasoline prices are about 30% higher than before the war began. " [Alaska Independent, 7/15/26]