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How Much of California’s High Gas Prices Related to War in Iran?

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High gas prices are listed at Chevron gas station in Los Angeles on March 9, 2026, as gasoline prices surge amid the ongoing war with Iran.  (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP via Getty Images)

The war in Iran is disrupting global energy markets and Californians are feeling the effects at the pump. Marisa and Scott get into the latest on the conflict and how much it’s driving spikes in gas prices with The Atlantic staff writer Missy Ryan. Then, they’re joined by Severin Borenstein, faculty director of UC Berkeley’s Energy Institute at Haas, to discuss why California consistently has among the highest gas prices in the country.

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