Trent Kelly: Trump did not start war with Iran, gas prices lower than Biden peak
Source: Forbes Breaking News · All Forbes Breaking News reports
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Summary
In a campaign rally in Corinth, Mississippi, Rep. Trent Kelly (R-MS) defended President Trump's Iran policy, stating that Trump did not start a war with Iran because hostilities date to 1979. He argued every prior president tried negotiation but Iran seeks nuclear weapons, noted current gas and diesel prices are lower than Biden-era records, blamed Biden's green agenda, and expressed support for finishing the conflict to prevent nuclear threats to the US, Israel, or Europe. Kelly also criticized out-of-state liberal funding in local races and endorsed Republican candidates. The brief remarks, under two minutes on Iran, were part of a larger event supporting Trump, Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, and others.
Editorial Assessment
Kelly's remarks offer a partisan defense that accurately notes longstanding US-Iran tensions and that current national average gas prices (~$4.28-$4.29) are below Biden's 2022 peak of $5.02. However, viewers miss critical context: the US and Israel launched major strikes on Iran in February 2026 (after earlier 2025 actions), killing Supreme Leader Khamenei and targeting nuclear sites, with Trump authorizing direct US involvement and later resuming strikes after fragile ceasefires. This has driven the current energy disruption pushing Trump's term-average gas price above Biden's. The nuclear threat is real—IAEA cannot fully verify Iran's remaining enriched uranium stockpile and reconstruction is underway—but Kelly's portrayal downplays US agency in escalation, ongoing sporadic fighting, $38B+ in costs, and civilian casualties. Selective emphasis on Biden's 'record high' while ignoring the war's role in today's prices skews perception toward justifying indefinite conflict. Overall, a campaign speech more than balanced analysis.
Key Moments
President Trump did not start a war with Iran; they have been at war with us since 1979
Iran-US hostilities began in 1979, but US and Israel launched major coordinated strikes in Feb 2026 (following 2025 actions), with Trump directing operations that killed Iran's Supreme Leader and escalated the conflict.
Gas prices and diesel are still lower right now at the highest point under Trump than they were under Biden who has record high gas prices
Biden's peak was $5.02/gal in 2022; current ~$4.29 is lower, but Trump's second-term average (~$3.47) now exceeds Biden's full-term average (~$3.46) due to the Iran conflict disrupting supplies.
They want to get a nuclear weapon and every president tried to negotiate but they want one
Iran has long pursued enrichment; IAEA reports it had ~440kg of 60% enriched uranium pre-strikes, reconstruction is ongoing at sites, and talks have repeatedly failed over enrichment limits.
The president has my support to finish this war in Iran; gas and grocery prices not as bad as a nuclear weapon in Europe, Israel or America
Policy opinion; conflict has caused intermittent fighting, Hormuz disruptions, and high energy costs with no final resolution despite MoUs, per CFR and CRS reports.
Notable Concerns
- Omission of US direct military role in 2025-2026 strikes and resumption of operations after ceasefires
- Gas price comparison uses peak vs. current rather than term averages, where Trump's now exceeds Biden's due to the defended policy
- No mention of casualties, economic costs, or IAEA concerns over unverified Iranian nuclear material
Sources Consulted
- CFR Global Conflict Tracker: Confrontation between the United States and Iran
- Congressional Research Service: U.S. Conflict with Iran (R48887)
- US Gas Gauge: Trump vs. Biden Gas Prices
- Reuters: Average price of gasoline during Trump's term now exceeds Biden's
- IAEA Director General Statement to UN Security Council
- CNN: Gas prices under Trump 2.0 now more expensive than under Biden
- Clarion Ledger: Live updates from Trump rally in Corinth, MS
- Al Jazeera: Iran determined to keep uranium amid increased war odds