The average price of unleaded petrol in the UK rose by 5p a litre in a single week, according to the RAC, marking the largest weekly increase since April. The motoring organisation reported that a litre of unleaded now costs 167.17p, while diesel has also climbed by 5p to 188.63p. This increase follows the escalation of hostilities between the US, Israel, and Iran, which have disrupted crude oil supplies across the Middle East.

Fuel prices have surged since the US-Israel war with Iran began in late February, with the conflict severely impacting oil production and transportation. The price of Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil, has returned to $100 a barrel for the first time since July, as tensions in the region have intensified. On Tuesday, US forces struck five Iranian tankers after Tehran targeted one of its warships, while Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement also attacked oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.

RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis stated that the latest rise in fuel prices highlights the vulnerability of UK drivers to events in the Middle East. He noted that the 5p increase means the cost of filling a family-sized car has gone up by £2.75 over the past week. 'Drivers are having to dig ever deeper into their pockets every time they fill up, and there's no sign of any relief yet,' Dennis said. He urged motorists to drive efficiently and to find the cheapest forecourts available.

The last time petrol prices reached this level was in September 2022, while diesel remains slightly below the 191.54p it hit in April. The price of Brent crude remains well above the $70 it was trading at before the conflict began, though it is still some way off the $120 it reached in April. The RAC has not received any response from affected parties or organisations regarding the impact of the conflict on fuel prices.

What remains unknown is the long-term effect of the conflict on global oil markets and whether the current price increases will persist. While the RAC provides data on fuel prices, it does not offer projections or policy recommendations beyond urging drivers to manage their expenses. The situation continues to evolve, with the potential for further disruptions in oil supply and prices in the coming weeks.