Trump's Iran Policy Drives Soaring Diesel Costs, Farmers Struggle
WHO:
Alternet - A new map published by Newsweek charts President Trump's disapproval rating in key farm states, indicating a "major warning sign for Republicans."
Newsweek - John Boyd, founder and president of the National Black Farmers Association, stated, "Trump says the United States is winning the war in Iran and we are in control of the Strait of Hormuz. Based on 10-dollar diesel fuel we are losing the war."
Newsweek - Jason Kurtz, a farmer who voted for Trump, mentioned that "cash-strapped" farms were struggling due to skyrocketing diesel costs.
Newsweek - John Boyd, founder and president of the National Black Farmers Association
Newsweek - Jason Kurtz, a farmer who voted for Trump
AP - American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF)
WHAT:
Alternet - Trump’s approval rating is in the negatives in all top agricultural states except for Kansas, where he remains slightly above water.
Newsweek - Regular gas prices have increased to $4.3672 per gallon.
Newsweek - Diesel prices reached $6.31 per gallon on a Wednesday, with certain parts of California seeing prices close to or surpassing $10 per gallon.
Newsweek - Farmers are currently harvesting corn for $5 per bushel while paying $7 a gallon for diesel fuel, with a combine harvester requiring 140 gallons, totaling just under $1,000 per full tank.
Newsweek - Farmers had spent $1.4 billion more on diesel during the 2026 planting season than the previous year, marking a 63 percent increase in planting costs.
Newsweek - Diesel prices averaged $5.9424 one week earlier, $5.4460 one month earlier, and $3.7008 one year earlier.
Newsweek - Farmers are currently harvesting corn for $5 per bushel while paying $7 a gallon for diesel fuel.
Newsweek - The price of diesel has increased by 37 cents in the past week.
Newsweek - The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) forecasts that the nation’s croppers will end the year with $31 billion in losses, expected to swell to $32 billion in 2027.
The Source - American consumers have collectively spent an additional $107 billion on gasoline due to the conflict with Iran.
Newsweek - Diesel prices hit a record high of $6.3103 per gallon.
Newsweek - Diesel prices increased by 37 cents in the past week.
Newsweek - Farmers spent $1.4 billion more on diesel during the 2026 planting season than the previous year, marking a 63 percent increase in planting costs.
Newsweek - Trump’s approval rating stood at -26 points in the latest Civiqs poll, with 60 percent disapproving and 34 percent approving.
WHERE:
Newsweek - Certain parts of California are seeing diesel prices close to or surpassing $10 per gallon.
Newsweek - Key agricultural states include California, Iowa, Texas, Nebraska, Minnesota, Illinois, Kansas, North Carolina, Indiana, and Wisconsin.
WHEN:
Newsweek - Diesel surpassed its all-time high in early September.
Newsweek - The price of diesel was recorded at $6.3103 per gallon on a Wednesday.
WHY:
Alternet - Rising diesel prices could drive up transportation costs across the agricultural industry, impacting farmers who are a core part of the Republican base.
Newsweek - Rising diesel prices are attributed to supply constraints caused by the Iran war and other global pressures.
Newsweek - Rising diesel prices are attributed to disruptions in oil and fuel shipments in the Middle East amid the United States' war in Iran, which began earlier this year.
Newsweek - Rising diesel prices stem from disruptions to oil and fuel shipments in the Middle East amid the United States' war in Iran.
Newsweek - Farmers are struggling due to skyrocketing diesel costs, which cut into their profit margins.
HOW:
Newsweek - Farmers are facing elevated production costs, lower commodity prices, and tight margins, with no relief on the horizon, as indicated by the American Farm Bureau Federation's forecast of $31 billion in losses for the year, expected to swell to $32 billion in 2027.
Newsweek - Trump claimed to have struck a "historic" deal granting the U.S. control over more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil, which he said would help double American oil reserves and "substantially lower gas prices for all Americans."
Newsweek - Farmers are facing elevated production costs, lower commodity prices, and tight margins, with no relief on the horizon.
Newsweek - Farmers are using diesel to power agricultural equipment, which is essential for harvesting crops like corn and soybeans.
Newsweek - Trump claimed to have secured control over the Strait of Hormuz and a deal for U.S. control over more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil to help lower gas prices.
(UPDATED September 16, 2026 22:01 UTC)
A new map published by Newsweek reveals that President Trump's disapproval rating is in the negatives across key agricultural states, with the exception of Kansas, where he holds a slight edge. Meanwhile, regular gas prices have surged to $4.3672 per gallon, and rising diesel costs could further escalate transportation expenses for farmers, who are already grappling with elevated production costs and lower commodity prices. The American Farm Bureau Federation has forecasted $31 billion in losses for the agricultural sector this year, with expectations that this figure will climb to $32 billion by 2027.
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 21:01 UTC)
John Boyd, the founder and president of the National Black Farmers Association, criticized President Trump's assertion that the U.S. is winning the war in Iran, stating that rising diesel prices indicate otherwise. Diesel prices have surged to $6.31 per gallon, with some areas in California seeing costs nearing or exceeding $10, leaving farmers struggling as they harvest corn for just $5 per bushel while facing diesel expenses of $7 per gallon. In a bid to alleviate the situation, Trump announced a "historic" deal aimed at securing control over more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil, which he claims will help double American oil reserves and lower gas prices for all Americans.
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 20:04 UTC)
Diesel prices have surged to an average of $5.9424, reflecting a significant increase of 37 cents in just the past week, while farmers are currently harvesting corn for $5 per bushel and facing diesel costs of $7 a gallon. The American Farm Bureau Federation projects that farmers will end the year with $31 billion in losses, a figure expected to rise to $32 billion in 2027, as they grapple with elevated production costs and tight margins. These rising diesel prices are largely attributed to disruptions in oil and fuel shipments in the Middle East, linked to the ongoing conflict in Iran.
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 19:04 UTC)
American consumers have spent an additional $107 billion on gasoline due to the ongoing conflict with Iran, while diesel prices have reached a record high of $6.3103 per gallon, increasing by 37 cents in just the past week. Farmers are feeling the pinch, having spent $1.4 billion more on diesel during the 2026 planting season compared to last year, which marks a staggering 63 percent increase in their planting costs. In the latest Civiqs poll, Trump’s approval rating stands at -26 points, with 60 percent of respondents disapproving of his performance.