Does the U.S. receive oil from the Middle East?

The U.S. doesn’t receive oil directly from Iran, but it does get a portion of its oil supply from the Middle East.

Former Florida Sen, Marco Rubio said during a Nov. 10 press conference that “the U.S. doesn’t get any oil” from the Middle East, and that “we don’t rely on Middle East Energy for our economy.”

The U.S. doesn’t primarily get its oil from the Middle East, but it still imported 8% of its supply from the region last year.

Rubio’s statements came amid questions from reporters about the U.S. war with Iran. The war has spiked gas prices across the country. As of Nov. 12, the average pump price in Sarasota was $3.70 per gallon.

Although the U.S. doesn’t buy oil from Iran, the global conflict has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, limiting the oil passing through it.