Washington: US President Donald Trump has said he will move to suspend the federal tax on gasoline in an effort to ease the burden on Americans facing rising fuel prices linked to the ongoing war with Iran.

However, the president does not have the authority to unilaterally halt the tax, and any such measure would require approval from Congress. Lawmakers from both parties have previously supported proposals to suspend the gas tax, arguing it would provide relief to households and businesses heavily affected by higher transport costs.

According to the AAA motor club, the average price of petrol in the United States stood at USD 4.52 per gallon on Monday — about 50% higher than the sub-USD 3 level recorded before the escalation of the Iran conflict.

The federal fuel tax is currently set at 18.4 cents per gallon for petrol and 24.4 cents per gallon for diesel, excluding additional state-level taxes, which vary and are often significantly higher.

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Speaking at the White House, Trump said the suspension would remain in place “until it’s appropriate”, adding that while the federal levy is relatively small, “it’s still money” for consumers.

In response to rising fuel costs, the administration has already released millions of barrels of crude oil from the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve. It has also temporarily eased sanctions on certain Russian and Iranian oil shipments already in transit, as part of broader efforts to stabilise global supply.

Additionally, the US is in talks with countries dependent on Middle Eastern oil to form a coalition aimed at securing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route through which around one-fifth of global oil trade passes.

The federal gas tax generates more than USD 23 billion annually, which is used to fund highways and public transport infrastructure across the United States.