AUSTIN, Texas — Gas prices are continuing to fall, and President Donald Trump says they should drop even faster.
In a Truth Social post Monday, Trump urged gasoline retailers to lower prices “immediately,” arguing that declining oil prices should quickly translate into lower prices at the pump. He suggested retailers target about $2.50 a gallon.
RELATED | Texas drivers are paying less at the pump, but tensions with Iran could change that
According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.84, down 8 cents from $3.92 a week ago. In Texas, the statewide average is $3.29, down 9 cents from $3.38 last week.
The push for lower gas prices comes as U.S. negotiators have arrived in Doha, Qatar, for talks with mediators about Iran, despite conflicting statements from Washington and Tehran about whether direct talks are actually taking place.
The diplomatic effort follows missile exchanges between the United States and Iran over the weekend, raising new questions about whether peace talks are moving forward.
On Monday, Trump posted on Truth Social that Iran had requested a meeting in Doha. However, Iranian officials say their delegation will be in Qatar but insist the visit is not related to any U.S. delegation.
Speaking about the meeting, Trump said:
“The meeting in Doha is going to be perhaps important, perhaps not, we’re going to find out, but we’re winning militarily. It’s almost won militarily, I would say. And it’s really very simple. It’s the denuclearization of Iran. We don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon, and they’re not going to have a nuclear weapon, and they’ve agreed to that.”
The conflicting accounts have fueled uncertainty over whether formal negotiations between the two countries are moving forward, even as officials from both sides are expected to be in Doha.
Energy markets have been closely watching developments in the region. Any progress toward easing tensions could help stabilize oil prices, while renewed conflict could push prices higher.
Follow CBS Austin for the latest updates on gas prices and developments surrounding the U.S.-Iran talks.