Mamdani slams US-Israel war on Iran cost amid affordability crisis

Mamdani Criticises War Spending, Cites Domestic Needs

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani criticised the spending of billions of dollars on the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran, arguing that such expenditure comes at a time of a "historic affordability crisis" in the US, as reported by Al Jazeera. According to Al Jazeera, in a conversation with YouTuber "Brian Tyler Cohen", Mamdani said the war "should be opposed on every single ground," warning that US-led regime-change interventions have historically led to negative outcomes. "Regime change wars" by Washington have had "disastrous consequences", he said as quoted by Al Jazeera. According to Al Jazeera, highlighting the financial cost of the conflict, Mamdani said it "had already cost USD 23 billion", questioning the prioritisation of military spending over domestic needs. This is "the kind of money that could transform working-class Americans' lives, whether through investments in Medicare or teachers or even the elimination of student debt," he said, adding that such opportunities have been "thrown aside with the pursuit of yet another regime-change war," as quoted by Al Jazeera.

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Mamdani, during his campaign, focused on improving affordability in New York City. He framed the issue as a broader debate over national priorities, contrasting overseas military commitments with investments in social welfare and economic relief.

Trump Pledges Lower Gas Prices After Iran Withdrawal

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump stated that domestic gas prices will see a rapid decline once the United States concludes its military operations in Iran. Speaking from the Oval Office, the President indicated that the end of the conflict is the primary key to providing economic relief to American motorists. "All I have to do is leave Iran, and we'll be doing that very soon, and they'll come tumbling down," Trump told reporters when pressed for a specific plan to lower costs at the pump.

US Gas Prices Surge Past USD 4 Per Gallon

The President's optimistic outlook comes as domestic fuel costs have exceeded USD 4 per gallon for the first time since 2022. The persistent conflict with Iran continues to interfere with international oil availability, driving up energy expenses to levels not seen in almost four years. According to data from the American Automobile Association (AAA), the countrywide average for standard petrol reached USD 4.02 per gallon on Tuesday. This figure represents an increase of more than USD 1 compared to the pricing levels recorded prior to the start of the hostilities on February 28. This financial pressure marks the first time American motorists have encountered such high costs since the global market volatility that followed the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Currently, retail prices differ between states based on regional tax structures and supply logistics, with certain areas already reporting rates that exceed the national mean.