EXCLUSIVE — Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is urging Americans to endure bloated gas prices from the Iran war a little longer after costs at the pump have skyrocketed nearly $1 per gallon over the past month alone.

But just how long drivers may face the inflated prices remains to be seen. Republicans are growing increasingly anxious by the day as gas prices approach $4 per gallon, undermining their affordability messaging ahead of the November midterm elections.