Rubio insists US is ‘very fortunate’ as Iran war pushes gas price near $4.50

US secretary of state says US is better off than other countries hit by disruption in oil supplies

• ‘A dollar or two increase is devastating’: US readers on toll of rising gas prices

Marco Rubio has argued the US is in a “very fortunate” position as fuel prices continue to climb nationwide amid disruption sparked by the US-Israel war on Iran.

With average US fuel prices now approaching $4.50 a gallon – their highest level in four years – the US secretary of state was asked on Tuesday how long Americans should accept them at such levels.