Diesel prices, crucial for powering trucks and trains, reached an unprecedented $6.31 per gallon on Wednesday, a 70% surge from a year ago, attributed by analysts to supply shocks from the US-Iran war. Transportation companies, vital to the US economy, are sounding alarms. J.B. Hunt's finance chief, Brad Delco, expects a 5-10% drop in Q2-Q3 earnings due to higher costs, with J.B. Hunt shares plummeting over 13% on Wednesday. The Dow Jones Transportation Average also fell more than 2%. GasBuddy's Patrick De Haan warns national average could exceed $6.50 in days, with some Midwest states possibly reaching $7. In California, prices already surpass $8. Norfolk Southern's Claude Elkins called the $8 diesel price "science fiction," expressing concern about its drag on consumers. Economists warn of potential grocery price hikes, though Melius Research suggests farmers, transporters, and retaile