NEW YORK March 16, 2026 – In a pointed critique of federal policies, New York Governor Kathy Hochul visited a local Sunoco gas station in Tonawanda on Monday, highlighting the rapid rise in fuel costs she attributes to the ongoing U.S. conflict with Iran and tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Standing alongside the Singh family, owners of the station, Hochul shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) illustrating the impact on everyday New Yorkers.
In the video, Hochul speaks directly with station owner Amit Singh, who reports that regular gas prices have jumped from $2.99 per gallon ($2.89 cash) just two weeks ago to $3.69 per gallon ($3.59 cash) currently. When asked about the cause, Singh directly links the increase to “the war in Iran.” Hochul echoes this sentiment, noting that businesses like the Singh family’s are “working hard” amid rising costs for everything from tariffs to gasoline. “Everything has gone up with tariffs as well. And then the gasoline has gone up. So it’s hard these days,” she says, assuring the family that “help is on its way.”
The governor’s post accompanying the video states: “War with Iran and tariffs are driving up gas prices across the state. New Yorkers shouldn’t have to foot the bill for the mess Washington Republicans created.” This comes as gas prices nationwide have surged more than 50 cents per gallon since the war began, with New York seeing even steeper increases due to state taxes and regional factors. Oil prices have topped $100 per barrel for the first time since 2022, exacerbated by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping route.
Hochul has repeatedly called on the federal government to suspend excise taxes on gasoline to provide relief, arguing that the conflict—initiated under Republican leadership—demands national action. However, she has dismissed proposals for a state gas tax holiday or a freeze on utility rates, placing the responsibility squarely on Washington. “Since this was initiated by our federal government, I think they have a responsibility to suspend all the excise taxes on gasoline and federal taxes across the board,” Hochul said in a recent statement.
The visit also ties into broader debates over New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). Hochul is urging lawmakers to delay certain emission mandates, citing projections that the law could add $4,000 annually to upstate heating bills and raise gas prices by $2.30 per gallon amid current economic pressures. Environmentalists and some Democrats have pushed back, accusing the governor of using the Iran conflict as a pretext to weaken climate protections.
Republicans have countered Hochul’s claims, blaming high state taxes and Democratic energy policies for exacerbating costs. Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt remarked that New York’s regulations have driven energy prices higher than the war’s impact alone, predicting persistent issues even after the conflict ends. Online reactions to Hochul’s video were mixed, with some X users criticizing her for not addressing state-level relief and recalling higher prices under the previous Biden administration.
As the midterm elections approach, Democrats are leveraging the gas price spike as a key issue, framing it as a “Trump Iran war energy tax.” Meanwhile, state officials, including Attorney General Letitia James, have warned consumers to watch for price gouging on essentials like fuel and groceries amid Middle East tensions.
Hochul’s office has emphasized support for small businesses and families, with the governor vowing to fight for affordability. “We’re here to support you. Just hang in there,” she told the Singh family in the video. With no end in sight to the Iran conflict, experts predict sustained high prices, adding pressure to both state and federal policymakers.
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