Gas prices in the United States soared past $4 per gallon for the first time since 2022, as energy infrastructure is increasingly targeted and threatened by all major parties in the war.
Overnight, a Kuwaiti oil tanker was struck by what Kuwaitis said was an Iranian drone attack. That came after US President Donald Trump threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s energy facilities if Washington and Tehran don’t reach a deal soon.
CNN – March 30, 2026
At the same time, Trump and his administration claim talks with Tehran are still ongoing but they have offered little detail on who they are communicating with, while Iran sends contradictory messages.
Here’s what to know on Day 32.
What are the main headlines?
A blaze after Israel’s Fire and Rescue Service said that an industrial building and a fuel tanker at Israel’s Oil Refineries were hit by debris from an intercepted Iranian missile, amid the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, in Haifa, Israel on March 30, 2026. Rami Shlush/Reuters
- Energy costs: Average gas prices in the US hit $4 per gallon on Tuesday, according to AAA, marking their highest level since 2022. Gas prices have skyrocketed since the US and Israel first struck Iran last month, and Iran retailiated by effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, choking off a large portion of the world’s oil supply from energy markets. Oil prices were broadly flat Tuesday, reflecting the mixed messaging on the directon of the war. WTI Crude, the US benchmark, settled above $100 per barrel on Monday for the first time since July 2022.
- Tanker struck: A fully loaded Kuwaiti tanker in Dubai waters was hit by what Kuwaits said was an Iranian drone attack, as Trump again threatened to blow up Iran’s energy sources if the Strait of Hormuz isn’t reopened fully. Trump reiterated his threat to “obliterate” Iran’s electric plants and oil wells if it does not agree to a deal to end the war. When asked about this threat, the White House press secretary said the US military will always follow the law. Attacking civilian infrastructure could be a war crime, experts warn.
- Washington comments: The White House press secretary said US talks with Iran were “going well,” and that Iranian officials now at the negotiating table appear more reasonable than the regime’s previous leader. She added that US troops are being sent to the Middle East to give Trump “maximum optionality” while officials pursue a diplomatic solution.
- Iran’s response: In a stark contrast in tone, an Iranian official earlier lambasted the US’ list of demands as “largely excessive, unrealistic, and unreasonable.”
- Strait of Hormuz: The White House heralded the movement of some tankers in the strait as a sign of diplomacy, shortly before Iran approved a plan to impose tolls on ships passing through the critical waterway.
