Americans expressed steady concern over energy prices during the first weeks of the Iran conflict, with worry levels remaining unchanged from the previous year despite escalating military tensions in the Middle East.

Public Concern Holds at 35 Percent

Gallup released survey data showing 35 percent of U.S. adults worried “a great deal” about energy availability and affordability, matching the exact percentage from one year earlier. The research firm completed interviews on March 18, capturing reactions during the conflict’s first two and a half weeks. Only 43 percent of respondents expressed concern about a critical energy shortage within five years, a figure lower than periods when gas prices previously spiked nationwide.

The contrast with 2022 reveals shifting public sentiment. Two years ago, 47 percent of Americans acknowledged significant worry over energy costs and availability. That peak matched similar anxiety levels recorded in 2006, 2008, and 2011 when drivers experienced substantial pain at the pump. When fuel prices drop, concern typically falls below 30 percent, according to Gallup’s historical data.

Gas Prices Rank Low Among National Issues

When researchers asked Americans to identify the nation’s most important problem through an open-ended question designed to measure top-of-mind concerns, only two percent cited gas prices. Government issues led at 15 percent, followed by the economy and immigration at 14 percent each, and inflation at 10 percent. The two percent figure represents an increase from the half-percent level where gas prices had been trending, but remains far behind leading concerns.

Temporary Disruptions Expected

Gallup researchers suggested Americans may anticipate temporary energy price disruptions rather than sustained increases. The polling organization noted that attitudes could shift if prices remain elevated for an extended period. The duration of price impacts likely depends on whether the United States, Israel, and Iran reach a swift resolution to the conflict, which entered its fourth week at the time of the survey’s release. Historical patterns show American energy concerns rise and fall with actual pump prices rather than international tensions alone.