Pakistan, Sept. 20 -- Rising gas prices are putting pressure on US households as fuel costs continue to climb. President Donald Trump has called the increase an "inexpensive price to pay" for the Iran war. However, voters in several states say higher fuel costs are making daily expenses harder to manage.

The national average for regular gasoline reached about $4.48 per gallon on Friday. AAA data showed the price had risen by roughly 17 cents in one week. It was also up about 40 cents over a month and $1.27 from a year earlier.

Trump has defended the higher prices while describing the Iran conflict as necessary. He has said the military action aims to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Trump also said fuel prices could fall sh...