Gas prices are rising rapidly across the globe, leaving consumers asking a simple question: why? In the United States, gasoline prices reached an average price of $3.98 a gallon in April 2026, an increase of around 35% from the previous month according to AAA. Similar spikes were seen worldwide, with prices of $5.00 in China, $6.87 in Spain, and $8.74 in Italy per gallon.
Much of this increase can be traced back to a single location: the Strait of Hormuz. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is an effect of the war in Iran. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital passageway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, is crucial for global energy. In fact, the Strait accounts for around 20% of the world’s oil, so its closure has had a major effect on the oil market worldwide. This has marked the largest disruption to the global energy supply since the 1970s, and fuel prices have fluctuated daily alongside developments of the conflict.
The Strait was closed starting March 2 due to ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States and Israel. Iran has attacked ships and reportedly laid mines in the strait, in effect closing it to marine traffic, according to The Guardian. The condition of the strait has remained precarious, with only a few ships being able to pass through safely.
But the effects of this war extend far beyond the gas pump. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz acts like a hidden tax on nearly every product that impacts the global economy. High energy and oil prices increase the cost of manufacturing and shipping, which, in turn, fuels inflation. This disruption in the global energy market has exposed the fragility of a world that relies on a single waterway for its stability. When one narrow passage controls such a large share of the world’s energy supply, regional conflict can send shockwaves through the global economy and leave countries open to economic paralysis.
Achieving energy independence within countries has become more important than ever during this energy crisis. Many countries are accelerating the transition to domestic energy, such as renewable energy sources, to achieve energy security. When countries depend on others for their energy, it can cause tension and energy disruption, affecting the economy and causing inflation.
The recent events in and around Iran have reignited a debate in Europe: the ethical and economical reliance on Russia for oil and energy. For years, European countries have depended on Russian oil and gas to power their societies. This has provided Russia with massive revenues and left European energy security in the hands of a foreign adversary. For many countries that depend on Russia, Iran, and other countries in the Middle East that are currently engaged in wars, energy independence is becoming an evident and achievable solution.
Energy independence is achieved when energy is produced where it is consumed, according to Reuters. An energy-independent country makes their own resources and does not import them from other countries. This can provide a country with a great deal of political and economic stability, protecting it from crisis if and when a global energy disruption occurs. Arguably more importantly, energy sovereignty can achieve geographic immunity, protecting nations from the volatility of global trade routes.
One country that has moved closer to this goal recently has been the United States. However, our independence may be a bit of an illusion. While the U.S. is technically energy independent because it produces more energy domestically than needed, prices remain controlled by the global energy market. Because oil is a global commodity, American energy companies sell their product based on international pricing. Therefore, when the Strait of Hormuz or other vital energy passageways are threatened, American gas prices rise in tandem with the rest of the world.
This is a demonstration of the effects of market dependency, showing that true independence requires a shift toward energy sources not tethered to global markets, including wind, solar, and nuclear energy. The fluctuations of gas prices in the U.S. serve as a reminder that no nation is truly independent as long as its economy is controlled by a resource that relies on passage through a global choke point. Ultimately, the path to true energy sovereignty lies in transitioning to sustainable power, which would grant nations the freedom and ability to secure their own futures.
