Volume 45 Issue Six June 2026
Last Trumpet Ministries ∙ PO Box 806 ∙ Beaver Dam, WI 53916
Phone: 920-887-2626 Internet: http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org
“For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” I Cor. 14:8
Under Pressure
“But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.”
Psalm 37:39-40
As the United States of America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday in July 2026, the country faces enormous strain on multiple fronts. While technically on pause because of a fragile ceasefire, the war between the United States-Israel coalition and Iran has continued to inflict pain on countries around the world, including the United States. The majority of this pain stems from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital, narrow waterway between Iran and Oman through which one-fifth of the world’s oil supply is transported. Iran has continued to impede traffic through the Strait, even threatening ships that have not received their permission to use the waterway. The United States has simultaneously enforced a blockade against ships and tankers departing from Iranian ports. Consequently, the American people are paying more at the gas pumps, while trucking firms and farmers are shelling out more for diesel fuel.
As of May 28, 2026, the average cost of regular gasoline in the United States is $4.42 per gallon, while diesel is $5.55 per gallon. (1) The average price of gasoline in February 2026, shortly before the war began, was $2.91 per gallon, while diesel sold for $3.72 per gallon. (2) The United States produces more crude oil than any country in the world, (3) so why are fuel prices so high right now? The problem stems from global supply and demand. Although the United States imports very little oil from the Persian Gulf, other countries around the world, under normal circumstances, receive the majority of their oil from this contentious region. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, other countries must find alternative sources.
In mid-April 2026, the International Energy Agency, or IEA, announced that European countries were six weeks away from running out of jet fuel, which is a crucial source of energy for air travel. “Several European countries may start to face shortages of jet fuel in the next six weeks, depending on how much they are able to import from international markets to replace the lost supply from the Middle East, which accounted for 75 percent of Europe’s net imports of jet fuel previously,” the IEA told CNBC. (4) Amid the severe supply disruption, the German airline known as Lufthansa announced on April 21, 2026, that it was canceling 20,000 flights over the next six months, (5) and Turkish Airlines stopped flying to twenty-three cities. (6)
So far, Europe has avoided running out of jet fuel in part by importing more of it from the United States. By late April American refineries were producing 26,000 more barrels of jet fuel per day than in recent weeks. However, the increased output of jet fuel meant reduced gasoline production, resulting in refineries producing 53,000 fewer barrels of gasoline per day. This reduction in gasoline production helped fuel the substantial increase in the amount the American people are paying at the gas pumps. (7)
While Americans loathe paying over $4 for a gallon of gasoline, the rising cost of diesel could have even greater ramifications. The semi-trucks cruising down the interstate highways to keep our supermarkets and mass retailers fully stocked are powered by diesel. About 75 percent of all heavy farm equipment uses diesel to plow fields and plant and harvest crops. (8) “Right now, I’m paying 60 percent more for diesel fuel than I would have been paying 45 days ago,” a farmer told National Public Radio in April. He then lamented the rising cost of fertilizer, which is also vital to farming and is made from components such as nitrogen and urea that are often shipped through the Strait of Hormuz. Last year, the farmer paid about $16,000 for thirty-five tons of fertilizer. He estimates the same amount will cost him $26,000 this year. (9)
Meanwhile, more than 60 percent of the continental United States is experiencing moderate or worse drought. As of late May, about 44 percent of winter wheat crops in the United States are rated very poor to poor. Farmers are expected to abandon about 32 percent of these crops, which is the highest abandonment rate since the Dust Bowl era in 1933. (10) “We’ve had places in southwest Kansas that have gone well over two hundred days without more than a half an inch of rain,” said Brad Rippey, a meteorologist for the United States Department of Agriculture. (11) Farmers in the United States are facing a triple threat: high costs for diesel and fertilizer while simultaneously grappling with widespread drought.
Sticker Shock
A piece published by Bloomberg on May 27, 2026, bears the ominous headline, “Americans Are About to Pay Even More at the Grocery Store.” (12) This is bad news for Americans who are already weary from the pandemic-era supply chain crunch that led to bare shelves at the grocery stores and high inflation. Nevertheless, we are already seeing costs rise. Ground beef, once considered an affordable source of protein, rose to an average of $6.70 per pound in March 2026, nearly a dollar more than consumers paid last year. During this same period, the average price of beef steaks rose to $12.73 per pound, an increase of 16 percent. (13)
From Happy Meals at McDonald's to cookouts on the Fourth of July to Hamburger Helper as a budget-friendly meal for cost-conscious families, beef has long been part of the American tradition. Today, beef is more popular than ever. The American people ate $45 billion worth of beef in 2025, and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy has boasted that he eats the red meat “usually twice a day.” (14) “Meat is having a moment,” said Glynn Tonsor, a professor of agricultural economics at the University of Kansas. He then continued, “Domestic U.S. consumer demand for beef has grown each of the last two years, and that economic force has the effect of pulling up prices.” (15)
While the American people have a voracious appetite for steak and burgers, the cattle inventory in the United States has dwindled to a seventy-five-year low not seen since the 1950s. This shortage has been attributed in part to persistent drought. Thus, we have elevated demand and a limited supply, which explains the substantial increase in cost. When you factor in rising fuel costs, the price trajectory is pointing upward. A piece from Fortune Magazine published on April 22, 2026, declares in its headline, “Beef is becoming a luxury as prices stay at record highs. They likely won’t come down until 2028, says Farm Bureau.” (16) It would have once been unimaginable that beef would be considered a luxury that is only accessible to the wealthy and middle class. However, economic pressure is beginning to cause structural changes in American society.
While those who are experiencing sticker shock at the meat counter might consider switching to a vegetarian or vegan diet, that lifestyle is likely to become more expensive, too. The state of California produces vast quantities of fruits, vegetables, and nuts, but the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range was at just 23 percent of normal levels in April. (17) According to the California Department of Water Resources, the snowpack from this crucial mountain range supplies about 30 percent of California’s water needs. (18) Combined with the widespread drought across much of the United States, it is unlikely that the upward pressure on grocery prices will ease any time soon.
Overall, prices for fresh vegetables were 11.5 percent higher in April 2026 than they were in April 2025. The United States Department of Agriculture expects prices for fresh vegetables in the United States to increase by 7.8 percent in 2026. (19) Remarkably, the cost of tomatoes surged by 33 percent between March and May 2026. (20) “It’s going to be a challenging year. Food is going to become less affordable, and consumers should be prepared for it,” said agribusiness professor Ricky Volpe of the California Polytechnic State University. (21) Inflation jumped to 3.8 percent in April 2026, which is significantly higher than the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target. (22)
Let’s Make A Deal
Without question, the war in Iran has made life more difficult for many people. It is a conflict that impacts many different nations in different ways. These difficulties can range from serious problems, such as jet fuel shortages in Europe, to minor inconveniences, such as a Diet Coke shortage in India. (23) For nations such as Japan, the impasse in the Strait of Hormuz has become especially problematic. Japan usually imports 90 percent of its oil from the Persian Gulf, but imports from the region plummeted by 67 percent in April. Meanwhile, a shortage of natural gas has caused rolling blackouts in Bangladesh, and Vietnam has imposed energy rationing in its industrial sector. After declaring a state of emergency in late March, the Philippines shortened the workweek for government employees and limited the use of air conditioning in public buildings. (24) The longer the war continues, the more pressing these problems will become over time.
The administration of American President Donald Trump has continued to negotiate with Iran throughout May in hopes of striking a peace deal. On May 6, 2026, Axios reported that the United States and Iran were close to signing a one-page memorandum of understanding which would end the war. (25) That same day, the President commented that the war had a “very good chance of ending,” but he added, “if it doesn’t end, we have to go back to bombing the hell out of them.” (26) He later commented, “We’re dealing with people that want to make a deal very much, and we’ll see whether or not they can make a deal that’s satisfactory to us.” (27)
By mid-May, President Trump was beginning to lose patience with Iran. A story published by NBC News on May 18 indicates that the President was very close to resuming military action against the Iranian regime, but he was talked out of it by leaders of Persian Gulf countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. “Based on my respect for the above mentioned Leaders, I have instructed Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, The Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Daniel Caine, and The United States Military, that we will NOT be doing the scheduled attack of Iran tomorrow, but have further instructed them to be prepared to go forward with a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He further insisted in his posts that any deal that is reached must include the stipulation that there will be “NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN!” (28)
Indeed, Trump’s primary concern since the war began has been to deprive Iran of a nuclear weapon. Various statements in recent weeks demonstrate his resolve regardless of the hardship imposed on others, including the American people. On May 12, 2026, Trump told reporters, “I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing. We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That’s all.” He then added, “As soon as this war is over ‒ which will not be long ‒ you're going to see oil prices drop and you're going to see a stock market, which is already at the highest point in history, go through the roof.” (29)
The President would go on to issue a similar statement on May 19 when he told reporters in response to a question about high gas prices, “We have to do something with Iran. We cannot let them have a nuclear weapon. You want to see the world exploded? You want to see a problem? This is peanuts.” (30) Most Americans would disagree with his assertion that the current fuel prices are “peanuts.” On May 22, 2026, The New York Post reported that the American people have spent an extra $45 billion on fuel since the war began. (31)
Finally, on May 27 the President suggested that even the upcoming midterm elections in November were not an urgent concern for him. Speaking of Iran, the President said, “They thought they were going to out-wait me, you know. 'We'll out-wait him. He's got the midterms.' I don't care about the midterms. Look what happened last night, that was a prelude to the midterms. People understand it.” The “prelude to the midterms” comment was likely referencing the victory of Ken Paxton, a Republican who won a Senate runoff election in Texas. ABC News Correspondent Rachel Scott then asked the President, “Mr. President, you've said that you're in no rush to make a deal, but with gas prices that are still high across the country, people are paying more for travel. Does that give you more urgency to make a deal? Why doesn't it?” Trump replied, “Well, I'll tell you, the primary urgency, I've said this, it wasn't covered properly, but the primary urgency is that we can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon.” (32)
How do the American people feel about the war in Iran? In a recent poll published by the New York Times, only 30 percent of all respondents said the invasion was the “right decision.” However, the poll results are deeply divided along partisan lines. Only 5 percent of Democrats said the invasion was the right decision, and 21 percent of independents agreed. However, 70 percent of Republicans said they agreed with Trump’s decision. (33) The President likely believes that the war will be worth it in the end if it prevents Iran from building a nuclear bomb, but polling suggests the American people are less certain.
As the month of May concludes, there has been momentum towards a deal to end the war. On May 29, President Trump wrote on Truth Social that he was preparing to make a “final determination” on whether or not to accept a proposed deal. He reiterated much of what he had said previously about any potential agreement, including “Iran must agree that they will never have a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb,” and “The Hormuz Strait must be immediately open, no tolls, for unrestricted shipping traffic, in both directions.” The President also demanded that Iran clear all mines from the Strait and insisted that the U.S. must take control of any enriched uranium currently located in Iran. According to reports, the proposal under consideration would allow for sixty days of discussion with Iran about its nuclear program. (34)
On May 30, Mohsen Rezaei, a senior Iranian official, accused President Trump of stalling. “As anticipated, the President of America is betraying diplomacy for the third time. By continuing the naval blockade and pursuing excessive demands in the negotiations, he has proven that he is not a person of negotiations and is pursuing other objectives,” he said. Speaking at an event in Singapore, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that Trump was being “patient” and would only make a “great deal.” “Any deal with Iran would be a good deal,” Hegseth insisted. He then added that the United States is ready to resume military operations if diplomacy should fail to yield results. “Our stockpiles are more than suited for that, both there and around the globe, so we’re in a very good place. We are more than capable.” (35)
Looking Ahead
It is possible that the war may be over (or on a longer pause) by the time this newsletter is in your hands. If it is, that will be good news for all of us, but we must understand that even if the war ends tomorrow, the world will not immediately return to normal. First, it should be noted that media reports claim the agreement between the United States and Iran would not immediately resolve the nuclear issue, but allow for sixty days of discussion to settle the matter. In reality, it is more so an extension of a ceasefire rather than a clean end to the conflict. It is very possible that the war could resume again after those sixty days have expired if Iran still refuses to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
The leadership of Iran does not have the posture of an adversary that feels defeated. In a fiery speech given on May 26, 2026, Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei called the State of Israel a “cancerous tumor” that is nearing its “final stages” of existence. He echoed the words of his slain father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had said a decade ago that Israel would no longer exist by the year 2040. Iran analyst Arash Azizi commented that the words of Iran’s Supreme Leader were “remarkable for how extremely eliminationist it is toward Israel, even by the regime’s standards.” (36) It does not appear that Iran is willing to just let bygones be bygones.
Reopening the Strait of Hormuz is an important first step, but according to a Reuters report published on May 29, it could take two months or longer for normal traffic to resume through the vital waterway. Mines must be cleared, stranded vessels must be prepped for transit, and insurers must be confident that ships and tankers in the Strait will not be attacked by Iran. (37) It will take vessels in the Strait weeks to reach their destinations once they finally start moving. “If the Strait of Hormuz opens today, it will still take months for the market to rebalance, and if its opening is delayed by a few more weeks, then normalization will last into 2027,” said Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser. (38)
It is a natural human instinct to worry about the future, especially in times of great uncertainty such as these. However, I am confident that our mighty God will bring us through the trials that are ahead. In my lifetime, I have already lived through the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States, the Great Recession, and the Covid-19 pandemic. While these matters should not be taken lightly, we must remember that God did not abandon us then, and He will not abandon us now. Yes, gas is expensive, food is expensive, housing costs are high, and inflation is going up. Yet, worrying about these matters doesn’t solve anything. In Matthew 6:27, Jesus Christ our Saviour asks, “Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?” He then continues in verses 28-30, “And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?”
King David, a man who knew what it was like to fight battles and endure trials, wrote in Psalm 37:39-40, “But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.” If you have not yet repented of your sins and dedicated your life to God, I urge you to do so now.
Thank you all for your kind support of this ministry. We appreciate each and every one of you and are thankful that God has given us this opportunity to labor for His kingdom. If you have any prayer needs, great or small, we invite you to send them our way. We always give each request individual attention. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Samuel David Meyer
This newsletter is made possible by the kind donations of our supporters. If you would like to help us, you may send your contribution to our postal address or donate online at http://lasttrumpetnewsletter.org/donate.
References
01. AAA, gasprices.aaa.com.
02. U.S. Energy Information Administration, eia.gov.
03. U.S. Energy Information Administration, March 11, 2026, eia.gov.
04. CNBC, April 16, 2026, By Sawdah Bhaimiya, cnbc.com.
05. The Independent, April 23, 2026, By Amelia Neath, independent.co.uk.
06. CNN, May 5, 2026, By David Goldman, cnn.com.
07. Ibid.
08. Shipley Energy, May 11, 2026, shipleyenergy.com.
09. National Public Radio, April 25, 2026, By Drew Hawkins, npr.org.
10. ABC News, May 28, 2026, By Julia Jacobo, abcnews.com.
11. Ibid.
12. Bloomberg, May 27, 2026, By Mark Niquette and Lauren Rosenthal, bloomberg.com.
13. CBS News, April 13, 2026, By Mary Cunningham, cbsnews.com.
14. The New York Times, March 30, 2026, By Lisa Miller, nytimes.com.
15. Fortune, April 22, 2026, By Jacqueline Munis, fortune.com.
16. Ibid.
17. Bloomberg, May 27, 2026, By Mark Niquette and Lauren Rosenthal, bloomberg.com.
18. California Department of Water Resources, April 1, 2026, water.ca.gov.
19. US Department of Agriculture, May 22, 2026, ers.usda.gov.
20. Bloomberg, May 27, 2026, By Mark Niquette and Lauren Rosenthal, bloomberg.com.
21. Ibid.
22. The Guardian, May 12, 2026, By Gaya Gupta, theguardian.com.
23. NBC News, May 10, 2026, By Mithil Aggarwal, nbcnews.com.
24. The New York Times, May 27, 2026, By River Akira Davis, Catie Edmondson, Eshe Nelson, Peter S. Goodman, and Suhasini Raj, nytimes.com.
25. Axios, May 6, 2026, By Barak Ravid, axios.com.
26. CNBC, May 6, 2026, By Chloe Taylor and Kevin Breuninger, cnbc.com.
27. Ibid.
28. NBC News, May 18, 2026, By Chantal Du Silva, nbcnews.com.
29. USA Today, May 12, 2026, By Joey Garrison, usatoday.com.
30. USA Today, May 20, 2026, By Fernando Cervantes Jr., usatoday.com.
31. The New York Post, May 22, 2026, By Ariel Zilber, nypost.com.
32. ABC News, May 27, 2026, By Rachel Scott, Michelle Stoddart, Nicholas Kerr, and Isabella Murray, abcnews.com.
33. The New York Times, May 18, 2026, By Lisa Lerer, Ruth Igielnik, and Camille Baker, nytimes.com.
34. Truth Social, May 29, 2026, By President Donald J. Trump, truthsocial.com.
35. NBC News, May 30, 2026, By Freddie Clayton, nbcnews.com.
36. Iran International, May 26, 2026, By Negar Mojtahedi, iranintl.com/en.
37. Reuters, May 29, 2026, By Yawen Chen, reuters.com.
38. CNBC, May 11, 2026, By Spencer Kimball, cnbc.com.
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