Trump predicts $2 gasoline once Iran conflict ends

Alaskans, who already pay some of the nation's highest fuel prices, could see relief if a prediction from President Donald Trump holds true: gasoline dropping to about $2 a gallon once the Iran conflict ends.

"When that ends, and I think it'll end very shortly after the election, could end before the election, but I think it'll end very shortly after the election. The prices will go down to less than $2 a barrel. $2 A gallon for oil," Trump said Thursday at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon outweighs the cost, he said: "We can never allow them to have a nuclear weapon."

Alaska ships most of its fuel by barge, which leaves the state especially exposed to swings in crude prices. Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola said residents of Shungnak face "$26.82 a gallon throughout the entire winter until their spring barge comes."

In congressional testimony, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said any relief at the pump depends on when the conflict ends.

Alaska's January survey found unleaded averaging $6.63 across 99 communities, compared to a $2.70 national average. Alatna and Hughes reported prices as high as $11.50.