Iran: Petrol and diesel drivers warned of fuel station ‘queues’ as Middle East conflict causes ‘oil crisis’
Petrol and diesel drivers across the UK are being urged to fill up their cars before prices soar as rising tensions in the Middle East contribute to soaring oil prices.
Experts have continued to warn that the rapidly escalating conflict in the Middle East could lead to serious issues at the pumps as the price of Brent crude oil continues to rise.
While average petrol and diesel prices across the UK have not changed significantly in recent hours, there are fears that costs could increase dramatically over the coming weeks.
At present, motorists around the country are paying an average of 132.83p per litre for petrol, while diesel drivers are spending around 10p more per litre.
RAC Fuel Watch is not currently predicting any changes to the fuel price forecast, although oil prices have shot up in the last 12 hours to as much as $82 (£61.23) per barrel.
Iran has launched a counter-offensive against the United States, Israel and Gulf States after an attack on Tehran killed the nation’s leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, over the weekend.
Howard Cox, founder of FairFuelUK, told GB News that the world was approaching an “oil crisis”, noting that a Saudi Aramco refinery in Ras Tanura had been targeted by Iranian drones.
A spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Defence confirmed that two drones attempted to attack the refinery, but were “intercepted and destroyed”.
One expert has warned of queues at filling stations amid the current conflict sweeping the Middle East
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Despite this, falling shrapnel caused a limited fire, although this was extinguished, and no civilians were killed or injured during the incident.
Mr Cox added: “Drivers should indeed fill up as soon as possible. I’d recommend supermarkets, particularly Costco, for the best prices.
“BP, Shell and Esso will hike pump prices first. It is inevitable that there will be queues at filling stations as a result.”
Saudi Arabia eventually shut the Ras Tanura oil refinery, which is the largest in the country, although analysts have warned that serious pressure could be felt around the world if Iran were to close access to the Strait of Hormuz.
Brent crude oil prices have risen dramatically in the last day of trading
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The strategic route carries around 20 per cent of the global supply of oil and liquefied natural gas, making it one of the most crucial areas of infrastructure in the Middle East.
Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, cautioned that while the UK has not yet been affected by the situation in the Middle East, oil prices could continue to rise.
He said: “If oil were to climb to and stay at the $80 (£59.71) a barrel mark, then drivers could expect to pay an average of 136p for petrol.
“At $90 (£67.16), we’d be looking at over 140p a litre and $100 (£74.62) would take us nearer to 150p, but it’s all too soon to know.”
Petrol and diesel prices across the UK peaked in the months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine
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PAA spokesperson for Number 10 stated earlier today that there have been no reported impacts to the UK’s fuel supply, despite the conflict in the region.
Experts, including Howard Cox, have called on the Government to freeze the rate of fuel duty further, similar to the measures introduced following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Labour has confirmed plans to roll back the 5p per litre cut in three phases, by 1p in September, 2p in December and 2p in March. It has also cancelled the planned increase in line with inflation for 2026/27.
A HM Treasury spokesperson told GB News: “We have extended the 5p fuel duty cut from this month to the end of August to support drivers across the country.”
