On 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran. They landed in a variety of locations, killing many Iranians. As a response, Iran blocked the strait of Hormuz, which 20-30% of the world’s oil passes through.
Now what does this conflict mean for our community? Although this is a global issue and may seem “bigger than us,” everywhere is being hit with consequences. A big concern currently is oil prices.
Since the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz, oil and gas prices have increased significantly. The average in Nebraska prior to the conflict was about $2.60 per gallon, but now the average has shot up to $3.55 a gallon. These prices will continue to rise as the conflict continues.
However, gas prices are not the only concern in our community. The strait of Hormuz also distributes a large portion of fertilizer used in agriculture. This means fertilizer is harder to obtain, which leads to rising prices in the agricultural department. Grocery bills are beginning to go up, which will put further pressure on families, even in our community.
The attacks issued by Iran have also led to a disruption of energy infrastructure in the middle east. This means that energy and electricity bills will, and already have begun to increase.
All of these issues are putting strain on the economy, and will inevitably lead to inflation. As a community, it’s important to budget your money and be aware of how this will affect your day to day life. Gas will continue to go up, and prices will keep increasing, so take initiative as to the necessities you need now.
Other than economic concerns, the threat of a draft is a scary reality for many people. Although there is no current draft, President Trump has said a draft is “On the table.” If you are a male from ages 18-26, this mainly concerns you.
The conflict with Iran is something that is affecting our day to day life, so take the steps you need to to save money, be safe, and plan. This doesn’t just affect the government, it affects us.
