NPR News: 04-01-2026 12AM EDT

President Trump plans to address the nation Wednesday night with an update on the Iran War, amid ongoing disruptions from the conflict. The broadcast covers the war's economic fallout, including a shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz that's driven up oil and gas prices; a kidnapping of an American journalist in Iraq; international diplomatic efforts; and briefer U.S. domestic stories on a celebrity lawsuit and protest art.

Iran War and Energy Prices

The Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, causing sharp rises in oil and gas prices. Nationally, average regular gas costs more than four dollars per gallon—only a few cents higher than last week but over a dollar more than a month ago, before the war began. Reporter Stephen Pisaha notes the psychological impact of seeing "four" on gas station signs, a level not reached since over three years ago. Russia stated Tuesday that the U.S. will finish attacking Iran within two to three weeks. These price hikes stem directly from the Strait's closure, a key chokepoint for global oil shipments, amplifying economic pressures as the conflict continues.