U.S. gas prices hit record highs in the days leading up to the Labor Day weekend, with diesel reaching $5.85 per gallon, according to reports. The American Automobile Association (AAA) warned that travelers would encounter the highest fuel costs ever recorded for the holiday, largely due to ongoing tensions with Iran. These tensions have disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments, contributing to increased fuel prices across the country. The national average for regular gasoline climbed to nearly $4.15 per gallon, a 6-cent increase from the previous week. Shipping data from Lloyd's List Intelligence showed that traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained below pre-war levels. Last week, only 102 ships passed through the strait, down from 126 the week before, and far below the 130 or more tankers that typically moved through daily before the conflict began. Despite President Donald Trump’s claim that oil flows from the Persian Gulf have returned to normal, the data suggests otherwise, showing continued disruption in the region. Vice President JD Vance downplayed the situation, stating he “wouldn’t call it a war” and noted that gas prices “could have been much, much higher were it not for our efforts” in the Iran conflict. He also ruled out new negotiations with Iran unless it stops attacking ships in the area. Vance expressed doubt about Iranian claims that U.S. airstrikes hit a wedding party, calling the allegations “extremely skeptical” and noting that the U.S. military is investigating the matter. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed confidence that Iran’s government is on the verge of collapse, saying it is “teetering” and “fighting for its survival” after the U.S. resumed attacks. He added that removing the threat posed by Iran is “within reach,” just days before Israel’s general elections on October 27. Meanwhile, President Trump has previously stated that regime change in Iran is a U.S. objective and has claimed that a change in leadership has already occurred, despite the new Iranian leader being the son of the former leader killed in the initial U.S.-Israeli strikes. Trump has also emphasized that the U.S. goal in the conflict is to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.