¶ Overview
Perry has been one of the most ardent defenders of Trump's war with Iran. At the outset of the conflict Perry quickly offered his support to Trump, admitting there was “going to be some tragedies” during the war but they were worth the price of subduing Iran. Perry defended Trump's comment suggesting the use of a nuclear weapon against Iran, insulted the intelligence of Americans by claiming they did not “understand the stakes” when it came to dealing with Iran and said Trump “absolutely” had to continue the war with Iran until he achieved what he set out to do. Perry even suggested Trump get Iran to pay the U.S. back for the war his administration began, claiming Iran could “pay that bill pretty quickly” after the fighting was settled. All the while, Pennsylvania families were paying an estimated $372 more for gas and staring down rising costs at the grocery store due to the Iran war. Even then, Perry voted in lockstep with his Republican colleagues to ensure Trump's war continued unchecked.
¶ Perry Backed Trump’s Costly War With Iran That Raised Prices For Pennsylvanians
¶ Perry Vehemently Defended Trump’s War With Iran, Claiming That “Everyone Loves What Is Happening”
8/11/26: Perry Claimed The U.S. Did Not Choose To Enter A Military Conflict With Iran. According to Rep. Scott Perry during a tele-townhall, “PERRY: Look, the United States has the tactical, technical and strategic capability to end this thing right now. The question is, do the American people support any of the methodology to do that? And the answer is likely, and overwhelmingly, no. We didn't pick this fight.” [Rep. Scott Perry, Tele-Townhall, 8/11/26] (video)
7/31/26: Perry Said Trump “Absolutely” Had To Continue The War With Iran And Claimed Iran Was “Completely Responsible” For The Longevity Of The War. According to Rep. Scott Perry on Fox Business News, “HOST: And there were reports that Brad Cooper, the admiral head of CENTCOM, has a two-week plan to strike the terror regime. Is this what is necessary right now? PERRY: Well, Iran certainly deserves it. Let’s remember, they started this war 47 years ago. They have been killing thousands of Americans, especially those in uniform. And President Trump is the first and only president to actually do anything about it. And of course, unfortunately, while they’re in disarray there it’s hard to know exactly who’s in charge. Much of the populous that would do something to overthrow this government have been slaughtered and mercilessly murdered by their leadership. In the meantime, you have rogue elements of the IRGC launching missiles and drones and other attacks into the Persian Gulf and through proxies. President Trump absolutely has to do this. I know people want to blame somehow America or Americans or the president. Iran is completely responsible for this.” [Rep. Scott Perry, FBN: Bottom Line, 7/31/26] (video)
6/17/26: Perry On Trump’s War In Iran: “Everybody Loves What Is Happening And They Love That America Is Doing It.” According to Newsmax, “Perry said the memorandum of understanding between the two countries gives Iran some flexibility. ‘It lets Iran kind of choose their course,’ Perry said. ’If they want more bombs dropping, they can continue to be the Islamist terrorist state that they've been for the past 47 years.’ ‘But I also think that Americans and young people are starting to see the light, that this is a war that Iran started and that President Trump is trying to end,’ Perry added. ’They don't want to live under a cloud of nuclear war either.’ ‘Everybody loves what is happening and they love that America is doing it,’ Perry continued. ‘They don't want to do the hard work, but they want us to do the hard work because they benefit from it,’ he said.” [Newsmax, 6/17/26]
- Perry Deflected Criticism About High Gas Prices By Claiming Gas Prices Were Higher Under Biden And The Media Failed To Cover It. According to Newsmax, “Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., told Newsmax Wednesday that Iran will eventually capitulate to the demands of the U.S. Perry said an eventual peace agreement between the two countries will be a boost to Americans' pocketbooks. ‘There's no doubt that gas prices have been too high,’ Perry said on ‘Ed Henry: The Big Take.’ ‘They hurt everybody. Nobody likes paying high gas prices. ‘The irony is, gas prices were actually higher under Joe Biden,’ Perry said, ’and of course, the media covered for him and didn't say a thing.’ ‘And we weren't getting rid of nuclear weapons and the threat of nuclear destruction from Iran with those high gas prices,’ Perry said. ‘So, they are going to come down now.’” [Newsmax, 6/17/26]
5/14/26: Perry Claimed Gas Prices Were Rising “Not Because Of President Trump,” But Because Of Iran. According to Rep. Scott Perry on Forbes Breaking News, “PERRY: This is, this is craziness as the price of fuel goes up because of Iran, not because of President Trump, because of Iran, as the price of fuel goes up, we're actually going to increase prices in this House if this bill is voted in favor of.” [Rep. Scott Perry, Forbes Breaking News, 5/14/26] (video)
5/4/26: Perry Said He Was Not Afraid Of A Congressional Vote On The War In Iran Since It Might Force Democrats To Publicly “Side With The Iranian Mullahs And The Theocratic, Murderous Terrorist Regime In Iran.” According to Rep. Scott Perry on Washington Watch with Tony Perkins, “HOST: On Friday, President Trump wrote to members of Congress arguing that he did not need to meet the 60-day deadline for the legislative approval of the conflict with Iran because the cease fire, which took effect on April the 8th, did not trigger that. And now there's no conflict. How do you read that? PERRY: Well, I'm not sure that everybody is going to agree with that. We're going to look at the statute to make very sure. But I think that at some point we're going to have a conversation in Congress about it. And look, I'm not afraid of it. I think it's actually a pretty good conversation to have right in front of the American people. And if Democrats so-called want to side with the Iranian mullahs and the theocratic, murderous terrorist regime in Iran, well, and they want to do that on the House or the Senate floor. Well, God bless them. We ought to know where they stand and who they stand with. They're always keen to blame America and, of course, this president, but let's remember who started this whole thing. It was Iran who 47 years ago took our American embassy workers hostage and has been killing Americans ever since then. And so I think it's great that the president is trying to stop this war, but unfortunately, not everybody in America is siding with America. So, I think there's going to be a difference of opinion there, but I think that the conversation should not be shied away from.” [Rep. Scott Perry, Washington Watch with Tony Perkins, 5/4/26] (audio)
4/8/26: Perry Claimed Americans Do Not "Understand The Stakes Or What Or What's Required” When It Comes To Dealing With Iran. According to Rep. Scott Perry on the Dom Giordano Program, “PERRY: Iran has never back down to any United States president, whether it was Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, certainly Barack Obama, actually he capitulated to Iran. Like, Iran's never back down to anybody except from Donald Trump. And I know that there are a lot of critics out there right now that are saying, well, I don't like the way he said it and he should have said it on a different day, that wasn't appropriate. So, look, I hear them. But got we got to understand this. Most people, and especially these critics, have never negotiated with terrorists, have never had a conversation with a terrorist that's willing to strap a bomb on to their child and send it into, you know, where you're shopping. Who's willing to blow themselves up and certainly willing to cut your throat. That's who the president is dealing with. And I just don't think Americans understand the stakes or what or what's required. These people do not understand, nor do they accept the normal, Western, civilized way of speaking. What they accept and what they respect is power, authority. And that's the only the only thing they respect. And so, I think what we need to do is forget about how we're getting here and look to where we're getting. After 47 years, the president is level setting the whole global, resetting the whole global order where Iran, who terrorized everybody for the last 47 years, is going to, is not going to be doing that for sure. We're not exactly sure where we're going to end up right there, but I guarantee you the price of oil is actually going to go down, we're going to lose less American lives, the whole world is going to be a safer place. Look at Venezuela right now. And so, I know that people have a lot of angst about this, but this is going to last for generations and generations. What the president is doing right now. And it's all good. There's not one bad thing that's happening right now.” [Rep. Scott Perry, Dom Giordano Program, 4/8/26] (audio)
4/8/26: Perry Told Americans To Stop Worrying About Negotiations With Iran, Describing It As “What’s Being Done In The Kitchen,” And Told Them Instead To “Worry About How Your Meal Tastes When It Gets To Your To Your Table.” According to Rep. Scott Perry on the Dom Giordano Program, “PERRY: This is not going to solve itself overnight, it's not going to be easy. And the thing is, too, look, this is all happening out in the open. This is all in public, you know, the conference in Yalta, or for that matter, the conference in Tehran, since we're talking about Iran during World War II happened behind closed doors. Americans didn't get to, participate, didn't have an immediate opinion because they didn't know exactly what was happening. We have a different level of understanding and transparency today. So, the messy work of diplomacy is happening out in the open where everybody has an opinion in real time. Where we are at this moment is not where we're going to end up, and I'm sure it's not where the president wants to be, but these are the requirements. So again, what quit worrying about, you know, what's being done in the kitchen as long as it's safe. Worry about how your meal tastes when it gets to your, to your table.” [Rep. Scott Perry, Dom Giordano Program, 4/8/26] (audio)
4/8/26: Perry Said Trump Is Handling Iran “As Well As Anything And Anyone Has Ever Done In The Course Of Human History.” According to Rep. Scott Perry on the Dom Giordano Program, “PERRY: But while we're headed towards the 60 days, I understand there's an extension on that, I fully expect this to be wrapped up by then. In the meantime, look, we've got this other issue of unfunded Border Patrol and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents. We've got that to deal with. And there's a clock ticking on that as well. And I'd say while the president is handling this and our United States military, which is so exquisite, if you can't tell that by now, is handling this as well as anything and anyone has ever done in the course of human history. Congress needs to focus on the things in the homeland, so to speak, where they're being mocked up by the other side that, again, is rooting for America to lose for political purposes.” [Rep. Scott Perry, Dom Giordano Program, 4/8/26] (audio)
4/7/26: Perry Defended Trump’s Threat To Use Nuclear Weapons Against Iran If They Did Not Open The Strait Of Hormuz, Calling An Expanded War With Iran “Justified” But Saying He Would “Say Things Differently.” According to Penn Live Patriot-News, “U.S. Rep. Scott Perry says the U.S. and Israel’s expanded war with Iran is justified, but added he would ‘say things differently’ than President Donald Trump. ‘I understand that’s a different audience he’s trying to appeal to, so to speak,’ Perry told PennLive, after speaking at a Harrisburg event on Tuesday. ‘But you also understand that everybody else gets to see it, too. Not what I would say, but I’m not the president.’” [Penn Live Patriot-News, 4/7/26]
- HEADLINE: “Trump Threatens ‘Whole Civilization Will Die Tonight’ Ahead Of Iran Deadline” [Politico, 4/7/26]
- Perry Did Not Answer Questions About Whether Bombing Civilian Infrastructure Targets Would Constitute A War Crime And Said He Trusted Trump To “Remain Within The Lines Of The Law.” According to Penn Live Patriot-News, “Perry, a retired Army National Guard brigadier general, didn’t answer directly when asked whether bombing civilian infrastructure targets, as Trump said he would do, would constitute a war crime. He mentioned the Geneva Conventions, which protect civilians even in occupied territory, and said the treaty ‘describes all those things pretty succinctly.’ ‘And we’re dealing with a terrorist regime,’ Perry added. ‘So I’m sure the president’s going to do what needs to be done, but remain within the lines of the law and I trust he will do that.’” [Penn Live Patriot-News, 4/7/26]
3/28/26: Perry Said Operation Epic Fury Has Been A “Nearly Flawless Operation.” According to Rep. Scott Perry on The Conservative Voice, “HOST: Another topic that we've got to get to, which I think you may have given your background a real insight into, which is Operation Epic Fury […] It's why everybody wants to use our military for their war. But it is amazing. What is it now? We're 10,000 targets hit. Is that where we're at? PERRY: Yes. I mean, I think it's over that. Yeah, it's over that. I mean, look, it's a nearly flawless operation. And of course, look, I got to say this because as a guy who worked for them, every single service members’ life is precious to us, even though we know what we sign up, that that's what we put on the line. That having been said, you got to remember just the train up, think about this, the train up in the rehearsal for D-Day, I think cost us about 1,200 lives. The train up for D-Day. Right. So, you think about how just how nearly perfect this operation has been. And I will characterize it this way and I don’t care what anybody else thinks about it. The president is trying to end a 47-year war with a theocratic dictatorship which has killed and maimed thousands and tens of thousands of American citizens and service members and spread terrorism around the globe which has cost each one of us dearly. And not only in terms of lives of Americans lost, but in our daily lives, the cost of living, the cost of oil, the cost of doing business, policing, incarceration, just dealing with terrorism. When you go to the airport and you complain that you have to take your shoes off and your belt off, don't complain to TSA. You should you should say those darn terrorists, that’s who’s to blame for that stuff. And they came from places like Iran and this Islamic craziness that, you know, that flew the airplanes into the World Trade Center. So, it's a nearly flawless operation.” [Rep. Scott Perry, Conservative Voice, 3/28/26] (audio)
3/24/26: Perry Said High Gas Prices Were “The Price Of Freedom, This Is The Price Of Security.” According to Rep. Scott Perry on the Alec Lace Show, “PERRY: Yeah, well, of course, you know, the gas prices right now are high because of the war with Iran, but no one cared about thousands of Americans dying when Iran was slaughtering them in Iraq and Afghanistan, right? Nobody seemed to care then. This is the price of freedom, this is the price of security.” [Rep. Scott Perry, Alec Lace Show, 3/24/26] (audio)
3/14/26: Perry On Trump’s Offensive In Iran: “I Support That Action.” According to Rep. Scott Perry on This Week on Capitol Hill, “PERRY: Yeah that's exactly where we are. Unfortunately, even though the president and our great military destroyed their current operation back last summer, they were quickly reconstituting it, having gained over a period of time the ability and the infrastructure to produce their own and manufacture their own processes to refine the uranium and get it to weapons grade. And so, look, this is just a matter of time, there were past administrations, both Republican and Democrat. Some did better than others that tried to deal with this issue, but this issue was not going away. And President Trump, I've heard him rightly say, look, we just can't keep going back every five or ten years and dealing with them. And unfortunately, they're on the precipice of being able to deliver nuclear rounds. And of course, they use the other infrastructure, their traditional military, to safeguard that. And so we are further and further getting into a position where nothing could be done. And we can't, as the United States of America and quite honestly, civilization allowed ourselves to be put in that point where we couldn't do anything about it because Iran would extort us every single day with the threat of nuclear conflagration. And so the president took action, and I support that action.” [Rep. Scott Perry, This Week On Capitol Hill, 3/14/26] (audio)
- Perry Stated, “It's Going To Be A Little Painful, And There's Going To Be Some Tragedies Along The Way” When Discussing The Effects Of The War In Iran On Americans. According to Rep. Scott Perry on This Week on Capitol Hill, “PERRY: It's just now that you're seeing what Iran's potential was to every single day, that caused insurance rates to rise, that caused costs to rise around the globe, not just for the region, but right here in America, too. So, yes, it's going to be a little painful, and there's going to be some tragedies along the way. But in the end, we're all, every single American and all of the world, is going to be in a much, much better place, from a national security standpoint..” [Rep. Scott Perry, This Week On Capitol Hill, 3/14/26] (audio)
¶ Perry Proposed That Iran Pay The U.S. Back For The War Trump Started
Perry Proposed That Iran Should Pay The U.S. Back For The War The U.S. And Israel Began. According to The Daily Beast, “A Republican congressman has a solution to the Pentagon’s $200 billion price tag for the Iran war: send the bill to the country America is bombing. Pennsylvania Rep. Scott Perry appeared on CNN on Thursday after the Department of Defense requested supplemental funds to keep President Donald Trump’s war on Iran going. The conflict has been eating up roughly $1 billion a day since it launched on Feb. 28, and has killed almost 1,500 Iranians. Asked by anchor Kaitlan Collins whether he would support the appropriation, Perry said he wanted to see details, suggested the figure was a negotiating opener—and then proposed that Iran itself foot the bill. ‘I would actually like to see Iran pay for this, whether it’s $20 billion or $200 billion, whatever it is,’ Perry said. ‘Look, they’ve been at war with us for 47 years, and it’s finally being ended by the president, which is awesome, but it comes at a cost. And they have resources. They have been siphoning those resources away from their population for those four and a half, five decades.’” [Daily Beast, 3/20/26]
- Perry Claimed Iran Could “Pay That Bill Pretty Quickly Once Things Get Up And Running” And Said The U.S. Should “Pursue” That As An Option To Offset The Costs Of The War. According to The Daily Beast, “He continued: ‘Certainly, they could pay that bill pretty quickly once things get up and running. And the ayatollah is no longer in charge. So I think that’s an option that we need to pursue as well.’ Collins, taken aback, pressed him. ‘You want to see whatever this costs the U.S. taxpayer, whatever the Pentagon does come to you and asks for, to be offset by Iran?’ she asked. ‘Well, I think we gotta pay for this somehow, right?’ Perry replied, before insisting that Iran—not the United States—started the war. ‘I don’t see any reason why the people that started this war—it’s not the United States of America—it’s Iran.’ Collins was unconvinced. ‘I don’t think anyone thinks that Iran’s actually gonna pay $200 billion to offset the cost,’ she said. Perry acknowledged the obvious. ‘Yeah, right now, Iran’s not gonna pay for it,’ he said—before clarifying that his plan hinges on regime change. ‘But under a different paradigm where the ayatollah’s not in charge, and we have a different system of governance.’” [Daily Beast, 3/20/26]
¶ Perry Repeatedly Voted Against Ending The United States’ Action In Iran
¶ July 2026: Perry Voted Against Removing U.S. Armed Forces From Hostilities Against Iran Unless Explicitly Authorized By A Declaration Of War
2026: Perry Effectively Voted Against Withdrawing US Troops From Iran. In July 2026 Perry 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]
- The Senate Voted Against Ending The War In Iran On The Same Day. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The House and Senate, in votes Thursday on ending the Iran war, came to different conclusions, but the majority of voting members of Congress said it is time to bring U.S. troops home. The House, for the second time, formally called on President Donald Trump to end the war, approving 214-208 a nonbinding concurrent resolution (H Con Res 89) by Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash.” [Congressional Quarterly, 7/23/26]
- The Vote Came After The Trump Administration Declared A Memorandum Of Understanding From The Previous Month “Over”, With Three US Troops Killed The Weekend Before And Houthi Strikes Against Two Saudi Tankers The Day Before. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Last month, the Trump administration announced it had reached a memorandum of understanding with Iran. But less than a month later, Trump declared the MOU ‘over.’ On July 10, he formally notified Congress fighting in the war had resumed. Over the weekend, three U.S. troops were killed in an Iranian attack on a base in Jordan, while a fourth U.S. service member in Iraq died during what was supposed to be a controlled detonation of an unexploded Iranian drone. Iran’s proxy group in Yemen, the Houthis, struck two Saudi tankers in the Red Sea on Wednesday. Such attacks could choke off another bottleneck in the global economy in addition to the ongoing throttling of trade in the Strait of Hormuz as a result of the war.” [Congressional Quarterly, 7/23/26]
¶ June 2026: Perry Voted Against Removing U.S. Armed Forces From Hostilities Against Iran Unless Explicitly Authorized By A Declaration Of War
2026: Perry Voted Against Terminating Hostilities Against Iran Without A Declaration Of War. In May 2026, Perry 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]
- The Vote Occurred As The War Entered Its Fourth Month, And Was The House’s Fourth Vote On The War As Gas And Food Prices Continued To Rise. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Either way, supporters say the House adopting the resolution sends an important message to Trump that Congress is fed up with the war as it lumbers into its fourth month. ‘We're now past 90 days, there seems to be no end to this war, and folks want some accountability, Democrats and Republicans,’ New York Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the sponsor of Wednesday’s resolution, said ahead of the vote. ‘The American people are suffering. The cost of gas continues to go up, the cost of food and inflation keeps going up.’ ‘So it's been building and building,’ Meeks added. Wednesday’s vote was the House’s fourth on an Iran war powers resolution since the war started at the end of February, with each vote getting tighter than before. In the third vote last month, the measure was rejected 212-212.” [Congressional Quarterly, 6/3/26]
- GOP Leadership Delayed The Vote Through A Week-Long Recess When It Became Clear It Would Pass. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The House had originally been slated to vote on Meeks’ resolution before the Memorial Day recess. But when it became apparent the resolution was likely to be approved, particularly with a handful of Republican absences, GOP leadership yanked the vote from the schedule. Republicans could not delay the vote beyond Wednesday since the 1973 War Powers Resolution (PL 93-148) requires the House to vote within three legislative days of a measure being called up on the floor.” [Congressional Quarterly, 6/3/26]
- The Vote Came Amidst Ongoing Strikes Despite A Proclaimed Ceasefire With Iran Claiming It Was Suspending Talks Following An Israeli Incursion Of Lebanon. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The growing congressional angst over the war comes as an already fragile ceasefire appears increasingly tenuous and the Trump administration’s negotiations with Iran stumble. Early Wednesday morning, Iran launched a missile and drone attack at an airport in Kuwait, killing an Indian national and injuring dozens of other people, in what Tehran described as a response to U.S. strikes on Iran the night before. U.S. Central Command said Iran also targeted U.S. forces in Kuwait but that air defenses shot down the drones and ‘ensured no American personnel or assets were harmed.’ On Tuesday evening, Central Command said it conducted ‘self-defense strike’ on Iran’s Qeshm Island in response to Iran firing missiles and drones toward Kuwait and Bahrain. Hours earlier, Central Command also said U.S. forces fired a Hellfire missile into the engine room of a Botswana-flagged oil tanker that it alleged was trying to evade the U.S. blockade against Iranian ports. The exchange of fire comes amid on-again-off-again talks to end the war. On Monday, Iran said it was suspending talks with the United States in response to Israel’s incursion into Lebanon. But Trump maintained that talks are continuing despite Iran’s statement, posting on Truth Social on Tuesday that ‘the conversations between us have been going on continuously.’” [Congressional Quarterly, 6/3/26]
¶ May 2026: Perry Voted Against Terminating Hostilities Against Iran Without A Declaration Of War
5/14/26: Perry Voted Against Terminating Hostilities Against Iran Without A Declaration Of War. In May 2026, Perry 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]
¶ April 2026: Perry Voted Against Directing The President To Withdraw Troops From Iran Unless Authorized By Congress
4/16/26: Perry Voted Against Directing The President To Withdraw Troops From Iran Unless Authorized By Congress. In April 2026, Perry 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]
¶ March 2026: Perry Voted Against Directing President Trump To Withdraw Troops From Iran
3/5/26: Perry Voted Against Directing President Trump To Withdraw Troops From Iran. In March 2026, Perry 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]
¶ Trump’s War With Iran Was Costly For Pennsylvanians
HEADLINE: “The Impact Of The Iran War: Gas Prices, Food Costs Rise In Pennsylvania” [Penn Live Patriot-News, 4/21/26]
¶ Regular And Diesel Gas Prices Across Pennsylvania Soared As A Result Of The War
The Average Pennsylvania Household Spent An Estimated $372 More For Gas Since Trump’s War With Iran Began. According to Patch, “Pennsylvania drivers have collectively spent an estimated $1.75 billion more for gasoline since the war with Iran began Feb. 28, according to an analysis released by Democrats on Congress’ Joint Economic Committee. That works out to about $372 in additional gasoline spending for the average PA household, the committee estimated. Nationwide, Americans paid about $56.4 billion more for gasoline from Feb. 28 through July 12 than they would have if prices had remained at their prewar levels. The added cost averaged $477 per household, according to the analysis.” [Patch, 7/24/26]
- HEADLINE: “Americans’ Confidence In US Economy Falls As Iran Conflict Sends Gas Prices Higher” [ABC 27 News, 7/28/26]
July 2026: The National Average Price For A Gallon Of Gas Was Approaching $4 Again After Trump Declared A Ceasefire Was Over. According to Arizona’s Family, "Gas prices continue to inch up after President Donald Trump declared the ceasefire agreement with Iran was ‘over.’ AAA reported the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline was just shy of $4, at $3.98 a gallon. On Thursday, the average price of diesel was back up to about $5 a gallon. Oil and gas prices had been declining after the U.S. and Iran signed a peace plan to end the war in June." [Arizona’s Family, 7/17/26]
- The War In Iran Caused Fuel Inventories To Plunge To Historic Lows, Leading To A Major Surge In Gas Prices. According to the Washington Post, "Americans face a new round of punishing price increases for fuel and other products as oil and gas inventories plunge to historic lows around the world because of the war in Iran, energy executives and analysts warn. Fuel stocks are so low, experts said, that even an abrupt agreement between the United States and Iran and an immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz — through which one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas supplies passed before the war — may not stop fuel prices from soaring anew by the July Fourth holiday." [Washington Post, 6/3/26]
- HEADLINE: “Oil Prices Surge After Trump Vows Retaliation For Iranian Attack” [ABC News, 7/29/26]
8/10/26: Diesel Cost An Average Of $5.54 In Pennsylvania.
[AAA, Pennsylvania Fuel Prices, Viewed 8/10/26]
- HEADLINE: “Diesel Prices Surge In Pennsylvania As Iran Conflict Pushes Fuel Costs Higher” [WGAL, 3/9/26]
¶ Trump’s War With Iran Was Costing Pennsylvania Families At The Grocery Store
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]
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]
- HEADLINE: "Higher Prices For Gas, Groceries And Flights Will Likely Outlast The Iran War" [AP News, 6/16/26]
¶ The War With Iran Cost U.S. Families $100 Billion So Far
As Of June 2026, The War With 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]
Americans, By A Margin Of 56 Percent To 7 Percent, Expected Trump’s War In Iran To Have A “Mostly Negative Impact” On Their Personal Financial Situation. According to The Washington Post, “Americans, by a margin of 56 percent to 7 percent, expect the war to have a ‘mostly negative impact’ on their personal financial situation, according to a March 31 Ipsos poll. A Middle East conflict that lasts for several more months would almost certainly spread higher prices and supply chain disruption beyond Asia and Europe to American shores. ‘I don’t think the U.S. will avoid it. These are global markets,’ said Rachel Ziemba, a New York-based analyst who advises corporations on geopolitical risk. ‘Experts, even a week ago, were worried. Now they are more worried.’” [Washington Post, 4/4/26]