A New Zealand doctor has sent an invoice to the US embassy in Wellington, demanding reimbursement for rising petrol costs linked to the conflict with Iran. Dr Shane Dunphy of Onslow Medical Centre in the capital billed the embassy NZ$2,790.95 (£1,300) for petrol vouchers provided to staff struggling with fuel prices.
In a letter accompanying the invoice, Dunphy said the US-Israeli attacks on Iran triggered an energy crisis that has hit New Zealand hard. 'The USA is responsible for this and therefore should be held accountable,' he wrote, adding that staff needed the vouchers to afford transport to work and feed their families.
New Zealand is particularly vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions, and petrol prices have risen by up to 50 cents per litre, pushing the average cost of unleaded fuel above NZ$3 per litre. Dunphy criticised US President Donald Trump, calling the attack on Iran 'immoral and completely unjustified'.
He encouraged other businesses to send similar invoices to the embassy, but noted that 'no amount of money could compensate for the human misery and loss of life Trump and the USA are responsible for'. The letter demanded payment within seven days.
Speaking to the Guardian, Dunphy said he acted on principle. 'If you break something, you should fix it,' he said, urging nations, including New Zealand and its prime minister Christopher Luxon, to condemn the war. He did not expect the embassy to pay.
