US average diesel price crosses $6 a gallon for the first time, GasBuddy says

NEW YORK, Sept 10 (Reuters) - The U.S. national average price of diesel on Thursday surpassed $6 a gallon for the first time ever, according to price tracker GasBuddy, as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s refineries have squeezed supply.

Diesel underpins much of the world's economic activity, fueling the trucks, trains, ships and heavy equipment that keep supply chains running, as well as the farming industry. Rising fuel prices have weighed heavily on consumers this year who were already contending with inflation. They have become a pain point for President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers trying to maintain thin majorities in the U.S. Congress in the midterm elections in November.

Record diesel prices come as oil futures have climbed back above $100 a barrel on the intensification of conflict between the U.S. and Iran. On Thursday, crude oil futures hit their highest level since mid-May, with Brent settling at $107.63 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate futures CLc1 settling at $102.48 a barrel. Crude oil is the biggest driver for fuel prices.